education events

Heritage Christian Academy Open House: Jan. 31, 8:30 am; Feb. 28, 8:30 am. Visit Heritage Christian Academy at 649 Barr Rd, Lexington in the Heritage Chapel. Learn more about the only classical, Christian school serving Lexington. Visit classrooms, meet teachers, and learn more. RSVP to Admissions Director Mrs. Blair Robinson at 803-951-3901. Learn more about the school at http://heritagechristiansc.com/ .

Revolution of 1719 Exhibit: Mon-Sat 8:30 am-5 pm from Dec. 18 through Sept. 2020 at SC Archives & History Center, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia. “To preserve us from utter ruine.” Learn about the bloodless revolution which occurred in Charles Town in 1719. It had profound impact on SC history which reverberates to this day. No admission fee required. Presented by the SC Archives and History Foundation and the SC Department of Archives and History with the support of South Carolina Humanities.

EVENTS

Good Samaritan Clinic Chapin: 2nd & 4th Thurs. each month, at 1808 Chapin Rd, Chapin in former We Care building. Patient registration open 4-6 pm. Fully staffed, volunteer primary medical care clinic for the uninsured and under-insured. No form of payment accepted. To volunteer, contact clinic director Susan Boland at kdsboland@bellsouth.net or 803-528-6365. For more info visit https://goodsamaritansc.org .

food and fun

Lexington Chili Cook Off: Feb. 9, 12 pm at Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 W Main St. Lexington. Join Old Mill Brew Pub and the Lexington County Blowfish for the Lexington County Chili Cook Off. All proceeds benefit local charities. Taking the stage during the event will be Freeway Music School. For team entry information please email john@oldmillbrewpub.net . Tickets $10, $5 for 12 and under.

Taste Of Swansea: Jan. 11, 12:00-5:00 pm, at Swansea Senior Center, 197 N Lawrence St, Swansea. Free admission.

Holiday Events

Cayce Holiday Market: Nov. 29-Dec. 14 at 1803 State St, Cayce. The Cayce Arts Guild hosting the second holiday market featuring a selection of items to purchase such as paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, sculpture, cards, fiber, etc. For more info visit www.cayceartsguild.org .

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE: Lexington County Museum hosts this free event Dec. 8, 1-4 pm, 231 Fox Street, Lexington, with antebellum decorations, light refreshments, demonstrations, and musical entertainment by Constance Cractor Flemming. Visit www.lex-co.sc.gov/lexington-county-museum .

Evergreen Holiday Art Show: All of December at Old Mill Brew Pub, Lexington. 30 or so artworks on display, all varying by medium and style and available for purchase. Show features work by numerous local artists. Event organized and curated by Candace Thibeault.

Holiday Parade of Lights: Dec. 14, 6 pm. The parade, hosted by the Greater Cayce West Columbia Chamber of Commerce, begins in front of the Cayce Municipal Complex at 1800 12th St and will proceed down 12th St to the corner of 12th and Highway 1 in West Columbia. Crowds of over 20,000 have been estimated, so arrive early to grab your spot!

Nativity Exhibition: Dec. 14-15 from 2-6 pm each day at Calvary United Methodist Church, 1130 Calvary Church Rd, Swansea. Admission is free. Over 300 nativities from around the world will be on display. Santa’s Gift Shop will be open for holiday shopping. Hot cocoa and coffee will be available. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more info call 803-568-9712.

Sandy Run Christmas Parade: Dec. 21,10 am, Old Sandy Run Rd. (Hwy. 31), in the Town of Sandy Run. To participate, call 803-939-4856 or email sandyrunparade@gmail.com .

SC Philharmonic Holiday Pops: Dec. 15, 7:30 pm at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College. Do you hear what we hear? Morihiko Nakahara and the S.C. Philharmonic musicians return for another year with this wildly popular show. Tickets available online at www.HarbisonTheatre.org or by calling the box office at 803-407-5011.

THE NUTCRACKER: Columbia City Ballet will perform this classic 6 times Dec. 14 through 22 at the Koger Center, Columbia. Features magnificent costumes, sets and scenery. Tickets can be purchased at www.kogercenterforthearts.comor calling (803)-251-2222.

VFW Holiday Shopping Spree: Dec. 14, 10 am-2 pm at VFW Post 8738, 424 Cedarcrest Dr, Lexington. Visit tons of your favorite vendors, food trucks, and meet Santa from 12-1. Come have fun!

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA: Dec. 14, noon, 11th annual wreath-laying ceremony at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4107 Percival Rd., Columbia. Parking will be at the Blue Cross Blue Shield parking lot at 4101 Percival Rd., across from the cemetery and you will be shuttled into the cemetery. Shuttles start at 10:30 am for general public and 9 am for volunteers. No parking in the cemetery on Saturday, but limited handicapped parking on a first come first serve basis with proper identification. To volunteer contact Carol Davis, waaftjackson@gmail.com or call 803-467-4482. To raise funds visit www.weathsacrossamerica.org/ .

lessons/training

GAL Training: Free 30-hour volunteer Guardian ad Litem training teaches about the family court system, how to recognize abuse and neglect and how to communicate with children, foster parents and every party involved in the case. For more info and how to become a GAL volunteer, visit http://gal.sc. gov or call 803-957-6484.

meeting

ADHD Support: Jan. 13, 6:30 pm at Pisgah Lutheran Church, 1350 Pisgah Church Rd, Lexington. Free seminar for support and education, not a solicitation of any kind. A time to share and learn about the joys and frustrations, opportunities & challenges of ADD/ADHD. Discuss understanding ADHD, myths and realities, executive functioning deficits, and future opportunities. For more info call Mary Eaddy Baker at 803-238-4307 or email sceducationadvocate@gmail.com .

Democratic Party Executive Committee: Dec. 12, 6 pm at Lexington Main Library, 5440 Augusta Rd, Lexington. The Lexington County Democratic Party will hold its final Executive Committee Meeting of 2019 in the downstairs conference room of the Lexington County Public Library’s Main Branch. The meeting is open to the public, but only Executive Committee members may vote on party business. Join us for a demonstration of the new voting machines from the Lexington County Commission of Registration and Elections.

Home League: Every Thursday at noon, women age 16 and up are welcome to meet at the Salvation Army at 7532 Irmo Dr., Irmo. Enjoy fellowship, education, worship and service as part of the Salvation Army Church of Irmo women’s fellowship club. For more info call or text Captain Amy Rockwell at 803-466-1071.

Parkinson’s Support Group: 2nd Friday of each month at 2 pm at Deepwood Estates, at 203 Old Chapin Road, Lexington, SC 29072 inside Deepwood Estates Retirement Community in the activities room. Open to all those impacted by Parkinson’s. Patients, loved ones, and caregivers are welcome to learn and share.

Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group: Meets every month 3rd Tuesday at 2 pm at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, Lexington. For more information, call Carolyn Brooks 803-960-9949. SMART Recovery: Tuesday nights at 7 pm, at LRADAC Richland County’s campus at 2711 Colonial Dr, Columbia, in Room 604. The meeting offers Self-Management And Recovery Training for all ages. For more info on this or other programs by the Courage Center visit www.couragecentersc.org .

Young Adult Wellness Meeting: Wednesday nights at 7 pm, young adults 19-26 are invited to meet at The Courage Center at 860 Park Rd, Lexington. They’re invited to focus on improving health and wellness, living a self-directed positive life, and reaching their full potential. For more info on this or other programs by the Courage Center visit www.couragecentersc.org .

Music/theater

NYE Gospel Celebration: Dec. 31, 8 pm at Midlands Gospel Singing Center, 705 Martin Smith Rd, Gilbert. Free admission. Soup and sandwich served during break. Bring your favorite dessert to share. Love offering will be received. For more info call Kyle Mills 803-351-6413.

Party at the Hall: Dec. 12, 6 pm at The Hall at Senate’s End, 320 Senate St, Columbia. Dine and dance to the music by Heart ‘n Soul at The Hall at Senate’s End. $30 per person, cash bar. For reservations email dupre@302artisans.com or call 803-351-1786.

Tom Petty Tribute: Apr. 3, 6 pm at Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 W Main St. Lexington. Some of Columbia’s favorite musicians for an evening paying tribute to Tom Petty. This is a rain or shine event, no lawn chairs allowed. Early bird general admission tickets $18 from Dec. 6-20. General admission tickets $22. Available online https://www.eventbrite.com/e/https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tokyo-joe-presents-the-best-of-everything-atribute-to-tom-petty-tickets-80139380043tokyo-joe-presents-the-best-of-everything-atribute-to-tom-petty-tickets-80139380043 .

outdoor fun

Artisan Market: Every Sat. from 10 am - 2 pm til Dec.

21. Meeting Street Artisan Market will be held under the pavillion at 425 Meeting Street, West Columbia in the Interactive Art Park. Vendors selling original art, crafts, foods, and produce to attend. Vendors will change weekly. For more info contact Colleen Otte, Parks Assistant and Venue Rentals at 803-936-6279.