events

BLESSING OF BADGES: Feb. 17, 9:30 am, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 213 St. John’s Church Rd., Lexington. A service of recognition and blessing for Lexington County First Responders in appreciation of all First Responders. All welcome.

Hall of Heroes: The South Carolina State Museum hosts a new interactive exhibit which celebrates and explores the history of and science behind America’s obsession with superheroes. Explore several themed environments with surprises around each corner. All ages are encouraged to learn, explore, and test their heroic abilities at the interactive stations. The museum is at 301 Gervais Street, Columbia. Admission is $13.95 for adults, $12.95 for seniors 62 and up, $11.95 for childrens age 3-12 and $4 for museum members. For more information visit www.scmuseum.org .

Hayes’ Heroes Evening of Hope: Feb. 23, 7-11 pm at the Country Club of Lexington, 1066 Barr Rd. Hayes’ Heroes presents the fourth annual Cure SMA Evening of Hope to raise awareness for spinal muscular atrophy while enjoying a night with drinks, live music, and auctions. Proceeds from the event benefit Cure SMA, a nonprofit organization committed to changing the lives of those affected by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

HEALTH SCREENINGS: Feb. 18, 7:30-10 am, St. John’s Lutheran Church, St. Johns Church Road off of US 378 west (turn right after Jake Knotts Bridge). No food 12 hours prior to tests. Take any medication except that which must be taken with food. Drink plenty of water. Call 892-2765 for appointment. Screenings by Lexington Medical Center.

Night to Shine: Feb. 8, 6-9 pm at Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington and Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia. This unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, is for people with special needs ages 14 and older. Everyone is crowned King or Queen. There will be a photo booth, shoe shine, limo rides, hair and makeup, karaoke, formal pictures, dinner and dancing. Register at www.shandon.org/night-to-shine for the Shandon Baptist Church event, or through www.nighttoshinemidlands.org for Mt. Horeb. Pre-registration is requested to get an accurate headcount.

food and fun

CHICKEN BOG: Rose Wilkins World Famous chicken bog served Feb. 15, 5:30-8 pm. St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 403 Park Rd., Lexington. Adults $8/ plate, under 12/$4/plate. To-go available. Proceeds benefit the Altar Guild and church Youth Programs, Church Office M-F, 8 am – noon, 359-2444.

Love Letters from the Past: Feb. 16, 6-10 pm. At Lexington Municipal Complex 111 Maiden Lane, Lexington. Fundraiser event will honor our veterans. Enjoy dinner, drinks, and dancing while raising funds for the Friends of the Lexington County Museum. Call 359-8369 or email museum@lex-co.com for more event info.

Lunch & Learn: Feb. 12, 12-1 pm at Shiloh United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 1000 Springhill Rd, Gilbert. This month’s talk is Healthy Heart Smarts & Surviving Heart Disease. $10 includes catered lunch. RSVP by Feb. 7 to 803-359-7586.

WINE & CHEESE AFFAIR: The Woman’s Society of Batesburg-Leesville hosts annual Little Black Dress Wine & Cheese Affair – “A Night In Napa Gala & Auction” Feb. 9, 7-19 pm, B-L Leisure Center, 225 Highland Ave. Cocktail Attire optional; featuring Red Carpet photos. Tickets $35 each include Beverages, Heavy Hors d’oeuvres, music & dancing. Silent Auction items (Check or Cash Only) to include 4 Michelin Tires, Dabo signed Clemson 2017 championship football and much more. (803-413-2437) or e-mail loisblack@sc.rr.com. Proceeds benefit local scholarships, education, community improvement projects.

Lessons/Seminars

Build Your Own Rain Barrel: Mar. 15, 8:45 am-12 pm at Town of Irmo, 7300 Woodrow St in Irmo. Learn about rain barrel construction, storm-water runoff and water pollution, and rainwater harvesting with barrels and cisterns - then make your own! Cost is $25 and includes all materials and refreshments. Register by Mar. 11, space is limited. Contact Brittany Sandifer at 803-358-8679 or bsandiferswcd@gmail.com to register or for more info.

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH: Thursdays, 7-8 pm, Family Life Center, Zion Lutheran Church, 226 Corley Mill Rd., Lexington. Beginners & intermediate. Free and open to ognize 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

PICKLEBALL: Free event every Thursday morning, 10 am – noon, rain or shine, and $2 Saturday mornings,10 am – noon at the Lexington County Tennis Complex, 425 Oak Drive, Lexington. In the event of inclement weather, the Oak Grove Civic Center at 584 Oak Drive will be used. All levels welcome. Come learn the game and/or share your pickleball expertise with new players. Paddles and balls provided by LCTC.

SQUARE DANCE: Western square dance lessons Sundays, 2-4 pm, starting Jan. 13. Limited to first 24 people. $5 per lession. The Barn, 680 Cherokee Lane, West Columbia. Info: 803-772-0546.

Meetings

ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL WORKERS: National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) is the only organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the pay and benefits of all active and retired federal workers. Meets the 2nd Friday of each month, 11:30 AM, at Sea-well’s Restaurant, 1125 Rosewood Dr., Columbia. For more information, call 803-796-3106 or visit www.narfe.org/ .

BIBLES AND BREW: St. John’s Lutheran Church offers a weekly bible study at Krafty Draft Brewpub in Lexington. Faith Uncorked offers a chance to discuss life and meet new friends over a beverage and meal. The group meets Wednesdays at 6 pm at 269 Charter Oak Rd., Lexington.

Communications & Leadership: Lexington County Toastmasters offers a way to learn and grow. 7:15 am on the 1st-3rd Thursday except holidays, 2nd floor conference room, Lexington Medical Center, 811 West Main Street, Lexington. For details, contact Jerry Bellune at jerrybellune@yahoo.com or 803-331-6695. Richland 2500 Toastmasters International meets 1st & 3rd Thursday each month except holidays, 6:45-8:45 pm at Irmo Medical Park building - 7033 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29212 in room 302. Contact: Donald Dills, 803-917-7726, Kalenna Ginyard, 803-873-5433.

LaVie Pregnancy Support Group: New group forming for those interested in supporting LaVie Pregnancy Care Center. First meeting Feb. 14, 1:30 pm, Midlands Church, 1312 W. Main St., Lexington. Refreshments and beverages will be provided. For information, contact friendsforlavie@gmail.com .

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 or Sue Amick 803-463-2001.

Music/theater

A FRENCH TOAST: Feb. 17, 3:30 pm, Harbison Theatre, Midlands Technical College, 7300 Collegel St., Irmo. Free concert by Lake Murray Symphony Orhcestra; donations accepted. A tribute to some of the most renowned French composers of all time; Saint-Saens, Bizet, Ravel, Offenbach, and Gounod.

ALADDIN JR.: Village Square Theatre presents a musical, magic adventure Feb. 9-17, 105 Caughman Rd., Lexington. Friday and Saturday shows 7:30 pm, Sunday shows 3 pm, with additional matinee Feb. 16 at 3 pm. All roles filled by children with special needs, providing access to community theater. Adults $12. Seniors, military and students $10 online at www.villagesquaretheatre.com or call 803-359-1436 .

TALK OF THE TOWN: Concert by Dutch Fork Choral Society and Columbia Operatic Laboratory Feb. 22, 7:30 pm, Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, 195 Amick’s Ferry Rd, Chapin. Sit at a table with friends, nibble on sweet and savory delights, share a drink and listen to fabulous music. $150/ table of 8 or $20/person. Info: Jim Buck, at (803) 318-0488.

tours

HISTORIC HOUSE TOURS: Tuesday-Saturday 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm; Sunday 1 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4 pm. Free to Historic Columbia members, nonmembers $10 adults, $7 youth. Visit gift shop at Robert Mills House, 1616 Blandings St., Columbia to purchase admission.

MURDERS & MYSTERIES: Feb. 9, 6 pm. Lexington County Museum’s free walking tour featuring some of the spookier and more gruesome aspects of Lexington’s history, such as murders, lynchings, and mysteries that occurred in downtown Lexington. Because of the mature subject matter, we ask that attendees be 18 or over or have parental permission. Tour begins at the Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 West Main St.