One Book, One Columbia Kicks Off!

One Book, One Columbia initiative officially kicked off earlier this week. The reading period (April 1-May 15) is now underway. Copies of the book selection, "Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters First 100 Years" by Sarah L. Delany and A. Elizabeth Delany with Amy Hill Hearth, are rapidly circulating at the Richland County Public Library.

Special activities in support of the initiative begin this weekend, including a Sunday afternoon movie showing of Having Our Say at the RCPL on Assembly Street and a poetry reading on Saturday. For a detailed list of events, please visit RCPL's One Book, One Columbia site.

Web: www.myrcpl.com/onebook

Celebrate 225 Years of History of Columbia

The City of Columbia is turning 225 years old and we are celebrating!

Mayor Steve Benjamin and the City of Columbia cordially invite you to the 225th Birthday Celebration honoring the City of Columbia presented by the City of Columbia and One Columbia.

When: March 22, 2011 at Noon

Where: 1300 Block of Main Street, Between Lady and Washington

Web: www.columbiachamber.com 

Event is open to public

3.8.11 | EngenuitySC's Science Cafe

Join Engenuity SC at the Capital City Club from 6pm-7:30pm to explore the latest ideas in science and technology over coffee or drinks. Join Dr. Jochen Lauterbach, chair of Strategic Approaches to the Generation of Electricity and professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina, for a discussion on the current state of electricity generation in the US and future alternatives. All ages are welcome and no knowledge of power generation is necessary.

Web & RSVP: http://www.engenuitysc.com/initiatives/sciencecafe.aspx

34th Annual USC Bands Clinic and Concert Series

The 34th Annual USC Band Clinic will be held February 17-20 on the University of South Carolina campus at the Koger Center for the Performing Arts and the School of Music. The clinic will include performances by the nation's top high school musicians including South Carolina's own Spring Valley High School Symphonic Band and will feature performances by the USC Wind Ensemble conducted by Dr. Scott Weiss, the USC Symphonic Winds conducted by Dr. Rebecca Phillips, the USC University Band conducted by Mr. Steve McKeithen, and the local Palmetto Concert Band conducted by Professor Emeritus James K. Copenhaver, Dr. William Moody, and Dr. Scott Weiss.

Performances begin Friday, February 18 at 7:00pm with the USC Wind Ensemble premiering Steven Bryant's latest work Concerto for Wind Ensemble and continue throughout the weekend.

All concerts are free and open to the public.

Visit www.carolinaband.org for more details and a complete itinerary of the weekend's events.

Clean Sweep 2011

Next Clean Sweep 2011 Drop Off is Saturday, January 22, 2011 at JLC Headquarters from10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Visit http://www.jlcolumbia.org/?nd=m_clean_sweep_events for additional drop off and bulk pick up dates!

Event #1:

Clean Sweep Preview Party and Silent Auction

The Clean Sweep 2011 Preview Party and Silent Auction will be held Thursday, Feburary 3, 2011 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm in the State Fairgrounds' Cantey Building. Catering will be provided by Hudson's Barbeque and the entertainment will be Bockus and Daniels. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

Purchase Tickets Online: http://www.jlcolumbia.org/?nd=ticket_single&fundraiser_id=11

During the preview party, all rummage items will be sold at twice the price. Up to $100 (twice the price) may be purchased in addition to one large item (anything not displayed on or under a table, such as furniture, strollers, large appliances, large outdoor toys, rugs, fitness equipment, etc.).  All items purchased Thursday evening must be removed from the Americraft-Cantey Building by 10:30 pm on Thursday, or they will be resold.

Event #2:
Clean Sweep 2011
The Thrill of the Hunt
February 5, 2011
Americraft-Cantey Building
SC State Fairgrounds

Sale Hours
Parking Gates Opens: 6:00 am (Parking is $2 a Car)
Doors Open: 8:00 am
Sale Closes for Bag Sale: 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm
Bag Sale ($5): 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Web: www.jlcolumbia.org

Kick Off the New Year with a Free Visit to the Zoo

Riverbanks Expresses Gratitude for Community Support with Free Fridays
 

Jump start the New Year with a free visit to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Free Fridays for residents of Richland and Lexington counties get underway this Friday, January 7, and continues each Friday through the months of January and February.

Riverbanks is a special purpose district and receives funding each year from the taxpayers of Richland and Lexington counties. To qualify for free admission, Richland and Lexington county residents will be asked to show proof of residency with a valid ID or a copy of their property tax statement. All other visitors will be charged regular admission. There is no limit to the number of Fridays Richland and Lexington county residents can visit during the promotion – they can come one Friday or all eight.

Riverbanks’ winter hours are 9am to 5pm daily. January and February are a great time to visit the Zoo because many of the animals are more active during the cooler winter months. If the weather is chilly, guests can enjoy some indoor animal exhibits including the Birdhouse at Riverbanks, Aquarium Reptile Complex, Gorilla Base Camp and Koala Knockabout.

Web: www.riverbanks.org

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.

12.09.10 | 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.

12.09.10 | A Devine Night Out

“A Devine Night Out” is one of Columbia’s premier holiday events. Stores and businesses on Devine Street in Columbia will welcome guests for an evening of shopping, socializing and festive cheer. Reserve the sitter and grab a friend. Explore what makes Devine Street unique.

End the evening from 8-10 p.m. with a fabulous after-party at Momo’s Bistro featuring delicious food and exquisite door prizes. Admission is free but donations (food or monetary) to Harvest Hope Food Bank are recommended.

Time: 6-8 p.m.; After party 8-10 p.m. at MoMo's Bistro
Where: Devine Street
Admission: Free; Donations encouraged for Harvest Hope Food Bank
Presented by: Devine Street Association and the City of Columbia.
Info: www.devinenight.org

Contact: Jennifer Suber, (803) 608-6161 or jennifersuber@sc.rr.com