SC eCycles Day

Give your old electronics new life.  South Carolina eCycles Day provides a free, convenient and secure way to dispose of and recycle unwanted residential electronics. As of July 1, 2011, electronic waste such as computers, printers, and TVs will be banned from landfills in South Carolina. You can help to reduce landfill volume and recycle valuable materials by participating in SC eCycles Day. Rules and list of acceptable products for recycling available online.

When: Saturday, April 30, 2011; 8am-2pm

Where: The Midstate Drop-off site
SC State Farmers Market
3483 Charleston Highway (US 321/21/178)
West Columbia, SC 29172

Web: www.ecyclesc.com

Help Bring Google Fiber to Columbia, SC

What is Google doing and what does it seek to achieve?

Imagine sitting in a rural health clinic, streaming three-dimensional medical imaging over the web, and discussing a unique condition with a specialist in New York. Or downloading a high-definition, full-length feature film in less than five minutes. Or collaborating with classmates around the world while watching live 3D video of a university lecture. Universal, ultra high-speed Internet access will make all this, and more possible. They've urged the FCC to look at new, and creative ways to get there in its National Broadband Plan – and now they're announcing an experiment of their own.

Google is planning to build, and test ultra-high speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the country. They'll deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections.

As a first step, they're putting out a Request for Information (RFI) to help identify interested communities. They welcome responses from local government, as well as members of the public from now until March 26th.

Their goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better, and faster for everyone. Here are some specific things that they have in mind:

* Next generation apps: They want to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it's creating new bandwidth-intensive "killer apps" and services, or other uses we can't yet imagine.

* New deployment techniques: They'll test new ways to build fiber networks; to help inform, and support deployments elsewhere, they'll share key lessons learned with the world.

* Openness and choice: They'll operate an "open access" network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent with their past advocacy, they'll manage their network in an open, non-discriminatory, and transparent way.

Like their WiFi network in Mountain View, the purpose of this project is to experiment and learn. Network providers are making real progress to expand and improve high-speed Internet access, but there's still more to be done. They don't think they will have all the answers – but through their trial, they hope to make a meaningful contribution to the shared goal of delivering faster and better Internet for everyone.

We have until March 26 to get our nominations in and prove to Google that Columbia is worthy of their ultra-high speed broadband network, and here's how you can help:

1. Submit a nomination:
http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi

2. Become a fan on Facebook and invite your friends:
http://www. facebook.com/googlecolumbiasc

3. Encourage local government officials to submit government responses:
http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options

4. Post “Google Columbia, SC” to your social media statuses on March 22, as part of our viral campaign: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=391650430148
Google Columbia, SC

5. Create a YouTube video telling Google why they should bring Google Fiber to Columbia, SC using the tagline “Famously Hot. Surprisingly Fast.” Submit it with your nomination and upload it to our YouTube group. If you know local celebrities that can help with this, please let us know!
http://www.youtube.com/googlecolumbiasc

Volunteers Needed for World Beer Festival, Saturday, Jan. 16

Ranked one of the nation's top 10 festivals by USA Today, the World Beer Festival is returning to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, SC on January 16, 2010 and needs hundreds of volunteers to make it a success. A portion of the proceeds from the event will support two local non-profits, Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) and The River Alliance. Volunteers can register online through ourcor.org.

Why volunteer? You’ll help two great local causes, make new friends, build your wardrobe with a cool t-shirt, enjoy great beer at the volunteer party, and learn more about beer with a complimentary three issue subscription to All About Beer Magazine.

What do volunteers do? Most volunteers serve as pourers during the festival, pouring samples for festival guests. Some volunteers also work at the entry gates, VIP room, taking tickets and welcoming guests.

What is required? You must be at least 21 years of age to volunteer. Volunteers are required to attend an hour-long training session the week before the event, and work during at least one of the two festival sessions. Besides that, you just need to smile and enjoy!

How do you sign up to volunteer? Register at ourcor.org. View the event and invite your friends on Facebook.

What is the World Beer Festival? The mission of the World Beer Festival, now in its second year in Columbia, SC, sixth year in Raleigh, NC and fourteenth year in Durham, NC, is to educate the public about beer appreciation and beer quality. In addition, the World Beer Festival is committed to fostering the growth of a positive local beer community. The World Beer Festival features samples of hundreds of different beers from a great variety of breweries from around the country and the world, live music, food from an assortment of restaurants and bars and educational seminars by leading craft brewing industry insiders. The World Beer Festival Columbia will take place at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on January 16, 2010 in two sessions, 12-4 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. The festival is produced by Chautauqua, Inc., publisher of All About Beer Magazine, the definitive source of information about craft beer. The company aims to build beer appreciation through information, education and experiences.


About Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR):
COR is dedicated to fostering a greater sense of civic and community involvement in the Midlands through social, political and cultural education, communication, development and action. COR inspires and empowers a new generation of Columbians to make our city a better place. Through ongoing projects, events and campaigns, the members of COR foster a new level of social, political, and cultural engagement among this new generation of Columbia's leaders. For more information about COR, visit ourcor.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Flickr.

There are many promising young leaders in Columbia. Who will you nominate as one of the Top 40?

Know an overachiever under 40? Nominate a Midlands business star making a mark with professional success and community involvement. The nominee must primarily conduct business in the 10 counties of the Midlands* and be under 40 years of age as of January 1, 2010. Deadline for nominations is Friday, October 30, 2009; winners will be published in the Monday, January 25, 2010 edition of The State.

http://www.thestateonline.com/20under40

Get Involved. Join COR. Win an iPhone.

Join or renew your membership to enter to win an iPhone!

How do I enter?
Enter to win an iPhone during Columbia Opportunity Resource’s membership renewal campaign, which runs through September 30, 2009. All you have to do is be one of the first 25 to join or renew your membership before October 1, 2009. We will draw a winner once 25 new members have joined or renewed their membership. For additional information, please contact membership@ourcor.org.

Cost of Membership:
$20 student, $35 individual

Enter today:
http://tinyurl.com/joinCOR

Already a member?
RSVP to the Facebook event and invite your friends and we'll draw a winner for a $50 gift certificate to the Columbia restaurant of their choice!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=135540595638

What are we giving away? An actual iPhone or a gift certificate?
We are giving the winner an Apple gift certificate for $199. This can actually be used to purchase any apple good/service that you would like.

COR is dedicated to making Columbia a better place to live, learn, work, and play.

SC Lt. Governor Andre Bauer Goes Barefoot! Join Bauer in touching the lives of 46,000 children by kindly making a donation. Every $5 touches a child.

Hope Delivered To South Carolina Families

46,000 children in the state of South Carolina will receive a pair of shoes as part of Lt. Governor Andre Bauer’s partnership with Samaritan’s Feet. The shoe recipients are students who are on free and price-reduced lunch programs.

Thousands of South Carolina residents will have their feet washed, given a new pair of shoes, and touched with a message of hope through a partnership between Samaritan’s Feet, Department of Social Services, United Way, South Carolina Department of Education and churches throughout the state. Samaritan's Feet (www.samaritansfeet.org) is a humanitarian relief organization that puts shoes on kid's feet all around the world. They will partner with hundreds of volunteers to give these children a pair of shoes. The shoe distribution will take place at various locations in all 46 counties in the state.

MYPA Cocktails for a Cause at Rhythm & Blooms

Join us at Riverbanks Botanical Garden on Thursday, May 21st from 6:00-9:00 pm and take advantage of this wonderful asset that is right in our very own backyard! Enjoy live music (The Fossil Record), food, wine sampling and local artists all in the beautiful setting of one of the nation’s most inspiring botanical gardens. Tapas and cash bar will be available during the event, or you can reserve a gourmet picnic basket if you order tickets in advance. Admission is $5 for Riverbanks members and $7 for the general public. All YP’s are highly encouraged to donate $5 in addition to admission to contribute to the Zoo’s Conservation Foundation. Help us show that YP’s can make a difference in the community!

Facebook Event

Event Website

Fundraising Fundamentals Workshop Application

Click here for the application.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia in Need of Volunteers May 2nd!

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia is in need of volunteers for their "Art with a Heart" event on May 2nd. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kristen Rae.

Kristen Rae Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia 1529 Hampton Street Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 254-0118 (803) 254-0119 fax www.ronaldhousecolumbia.org

SAVE THE DATES!
Art with a Heart--May 2nd at the Meridian Building Roof Top
Second Annual Sporting Clays Tournament--June 7th at Hermitage Farm, Camden, SC
Light a Light Share a Night Campaign--June to July 2008
Charity Ride--August 2008
A Fine Affair--September 30th at The Marriott Columbia
Annual Golf Tournament--October 1st at WoodCreek Farms
World Children's Day--November 2008

Family Connection of SC Mother's Day Fundraiser

Click on the image to the left to view the full-size, printable version.

"Richland 101" - ABC's of Richland County Government

2008 Spring Session Begins Monday, March 17th

Richland 101, the hottest ticket to information about local services, kicks off the Spring session on Monday, March 17, 2008. Richland 101 is an exciting 6-week series on how County government works, spends tax dollars, educates children, protects public safety, and provides other vital services. The course now includes many field trips. Citizens tour the county jail, sheriff’s office, EMS facility, the judicial center and Midlands Tech's new Technology Center.

Visits to the Richland County Public Library and the Columbia Museum of Art have also been added to the line-up this year. Richland County elected officials and top managers teach these classes. Topics include the county budgeting process, garbage service, the courts, schools, zoning, animal control/care, and much, much more.

Classes are held Mondays and Thursdays from 6:00 - 8:00 PM in County Council chambers, at 2020 Hampton Street. At the end of the session, “graduates” attend a meeting of the Richland County Council where they get a firsthand view of local government in action. Continuing education credits from Midlands Technical College are available upon completion of Richland 101. To register for this free course, contact Richland County’s Public Information Office at 576-2062 or 576-2067.

REGISTER ONLINE

http://www.richlandonline.com/News/2008/Richland101Spring.asp

Join Us for Our Next Adopt-A-Street Cleanup!

Adopt-A-Street Cleanup

COR has entered a two year agreement to participate in quarterly cleanups with the City of Columbia's Adopt-A-Street program offered through Keep the Midlands Beautiful. Our next scheduled cleanup is Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. We have adopted a section of Hampton Street from Assembly Street to Harden Street and will meet at the Columbia Museum of Art. Please contact Mandi Engram to sign up to participate in the cleanups at mengram@columbiaauthority.com or sign up online now at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=5984678299.

2008 Pickup Dates:
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008

Final pickup in 2008 TBA

VIEW PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS CLEANUPS

Providence Heart & Sole Race Volunteers Needed!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers help make the Heart & Sole Women's Five Miler possible. They need lots of hands for packet pick-up on Friday, May 16 as well as on event day, Saturday, May 17. Both male and female volunteers are welcome. Volunteers must be 16 years or older or accompanied by an adult. Church groups, scout troops, cheerleading squads and entertainers are encouraged to get involved!! Find out more and signup today!

Registration/Packet Pick-up Volunteers
They need volunteers to help hand out T-shirts and event packets on Friday, May 16 at Arsenal Hill on Laurel Street from 12 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Three-hour shifts are preferred, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Volunteers are also needed to help with packet pick-up on Saturday, May 17 at Arsenal Hill on Laurel Street near the start line. Shifts begin at 6 a.m. and last until 9 a.m.

Course Monitors
They need lots of enthusiastic volunteers to line their course and cheer on their participants! Volunteers report for duty around 7:30 a.m. and are stationed at various places along the course until about 11 a.m., when the last participants come through. If you'd like to make their runners and walkers feel special, sign up to be a course monitor! This volunteer duty is even more fun when shared with a friend or family member, so pairs of volunteers are welcome! (Children may volunteer as long as they are under the supervision of an adult.)

About Providence Heart & Sole
This unique, women’s only event pays tribute to the powerful role women play in the health of their families and friends. An event created by women and for women, the Providence Heart & Sole Women’s Five Miler donates a portion of its proceeds to help fight heart disease — the number one killer of women.

Sign up online and indicate you are a Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) member in the comments section or email mengram@columbiaauthority.com.

St. Lawrence Place Volunteer Opportunties

Oyster Roast to benefit St. Lawrence Place
Date: Friday, February 15th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Home of Diana and Lee Ayers
825 Hampton Hill Road
Columbia, South Carolina

Needs:
Set-up Volunteers (Noon-6:00 p.m.)
Evening Raffle Volunteers (50/50 or game of choice)


Apartment Renovation
Renovate unit 55-A in order to prepare for new family. SLP has a budget of $1500 for the unit.

Needs:
paint
flooring
cabinets
repair needed windows
appliances
furniture and household items (used)
light fixtures


Children’s Program
Volunteers are needed Mondays, 2:30 – 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. to work with the (30) children in the following areas:
craft projects
mentoring
homework assistance
outside games/activities
misc. special projects


Adult Program
Volunteers are needed who are willing to “adopt” a family and serve as a link to the community. Monetary donations are not the primary focus – the focus should be on mentoring and relationship-building.

Volunteers willing to lead an adult lifeskill class are also welcome. These classes are help on Monday nights, 6:30-8:00 and are mandatory for all residents. Subjects include empowerment, nutrition, parenting, budgeting, etc.

Contact: Lila Anna Sauls
Phone: 803.256.3999
Website: http://www.stlawrenceplace.org/

Welcome to the Columbia Opportunity Resource Blog!

Columbia Opportunity Resource welcomes you to our new blog. COR is dedicated to fostering a greater sense of civic and community involvement in the Midlands through social, political and cultural education, communication, development and action. COR inspires and empowers a new generation of Columbians to make our city a better place.