Commercial/Paid Events: We offer opportunities for promoters of paid ticket events to advertise in GO! listings and display advertising. GO! calendar entry for paid events is $20 for the first 20 words and 25¢ a word above that.

Deadline is Friday before Publication. Send items two weeks before your event by fax 803-359-2936 or email: lexingtonchronicle@gmail.com

events

BABOCK BUILDING RESEARCH: Jan. 22, noon-1 pm, hosted by Historic Columbia. A discussion of the histoy of the iconic building. $5 fee and you can bring your lunch. Register at historiccolumbia.org or email reservations@historiccolumbia.org .

BLOOD DRIVES: CAYCE–Jan. 20, 12:30-5 pm, Broadacres Baptist Church, 2350 Taylor Rd.; Jan. 23, 7 am-noon, CMC Steel, 310 New State Rd.; Jan. 24, 8:30am-2:30 pm, Brookland Cayce Gym, 1300 State St.; Jan. 28, 2-7 pm, Cayce United Methodist Church, 1600 Twelfth Street. GILBERT–Jan. 12, 8 am-1:30 pm, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 246 St Pauls Church Rd. LEXINGTON–Jan. 14, 2-7 p.m., Lexington United Methodist Church, 309 East Main St.; Jan. 21, 11 am-4 pm, Lowe’s-Red Bank, 5570 Platt Springs Rd.; Jan. 23, 2-7 p.m., St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 119 North Church Street, Jan. 30, 8 am-5 pm, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, 521 Gibson Rd. PELION–Jan. 17, 11 am-4 pm, Pelion Branch Library, 206 Pine St. Jan. 17, 2 pm-7 pm, Forts Pond Elementary School, 7350 Fish Hatchery Rd. WEST COLUMIBA–Jan. 11, 2-7 pm, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2491 Emmanuel Church Rd. Jan. 31, 8:30 am–2:30 pm, Airport High School, 1315 Boston Ave. Jan. 31, 8:30 am–4:30 pm, Lexington Medical Center, 2720 Sunset Blvd.

food and fun

HISTORIC HAPPY HOUR: Jan. 25, 5:30-7 pm, Seibels House, 1601 Richland St., Columbia, hosted by Historic Columbia with a discussion of Alexander Hamilton. Must be 21 or older. Purchase tickets in advance at historic columbia.org or email reservations@historiccolumbia.org .

Lexington County Chili Cook Off: Jan. 27, 12 pm. Join the Old Mill Brew Pub and the Lexington County Blowfish for the Lexington County Chili Cook Off. All proceeds benefit local charities. Tickets are $10, $5 for 12 and under. Taking the stage during the event will be Freeway Music School. For team entry information please email john@oldmillbrewpub.net .

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.

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.

Words and Wine: Jan. 15, 6-8 pm at The Lourie Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park) in Columbia. January’s author is Tim Conroy. The purpose of Words & Wine is to provide a venue for authors to hold book signings and readers to meet them, purchase books, and have their books signed. Music provided by Ken Baldwin and Igor Agafonov. Light refreshments and wine are provided. Attendees are asked to make a $5 donation at the door to the Lourie Center.

Lessons/Seminars

AARP Driver Safety: Class is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. After completion each participant will receive a certificate that they turn into their insurance agent for a discount on their insurance for 3 years. The Tri City Leisure Center class will be held Jan. 15, 9 am-1 pm at 485 Brooks Ave, West Columbia. Call 803-939-9309 to register.

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH: Thursdays, 7-8 pm, Family Life Center, Zion Lutheran Church, 226 Corley Mill Rd., Lexington. Beginners & intermediate. Free and open to public. Info: Bridget Ridgell, 803-413-9534.

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.scgov. or call 803-957-6484

Grow Succulents: Learn how to grow and care for succulent plants. Presented by Lexington County Master Gardeners. Succulent plants are always in style. Registration required. Lexington Main Library event Jan. 14, 10 am. Call 803-785-2680 to register or for more info. Pelion Branch Library event Feb. 2, 10 am. Call 803-785-3272 to register or for more info.

Home archiving: Jan. 16, 6 pm. Do you have family heirlooms, pictures, film or documents that you want to preserve for years to come? Visit the Lexington Main Library for this informative workshop on preserving the past/home archiving. For more information, call 803-785-2680.

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 lesson. The Barn, 680 Cherokee Lane, West Columbia. Info: 803-772-0546.

Taxes Legal Clinic: Jan. 28, 6 pm. The Batesburg-Leesville Branch of the Lexington County Library will host this legal clinic. Get free legal advice about federal and state taxes as well as dealing with the IRS and S.C. Department of Revenue. Presented in partnership with the South Carolina Bar Association. For more information, call (803) 532-9223.

Winter Adventures in Learning: Jan. 10-Mar. 6, 9 am-2:15 pm at 3401 Trenholm Road at Trenholm UMC in Columbia. The Shepherd Center of Columbia Winter Adventures in Learning Program launches Jan. 9 and runs until Mar. 6. Hourly sessions begin at 9 am with the last occuring at 2:15 pm. New programs include The Muppets as An American Cultural Institution; Just Google It; The Real History of Fake News; Spanish II and much more. Many popular programs are returning for the winter 2019 season. For a complete list of programs and more info call 803-779-4449 or visit https://shepherdscentercolumbia.wordpress.com/ .

Meetings

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.

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.

VOTER REGISTRATION: Lexington County Voter Registration and Election Commission meets Jan. 17, 9:30 am, Lexington County Voters Registration and Elections Office, 605 West Main St, suite C, Lexington.

Tours

HISTORIC HOUSE TOURS: Tuesday-Saturday 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm; Sunday 1pm, 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 and Mysteries Walking Tour: Feb. 9, 8 pm. Tour begins at the Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 West Main St, Lexington. Free to the public. Attendees will learn about some of the spookier and more gruesome aspects of Lexington’s history as we will discuss 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. Call 359-8369 or email museum@lex-co.com for more event info.

Reunions

Swygert: Jan. 19, 4-9 pm. The descendants of Christian and John Swygert, sons of the immigrant Martin Swygert, will be having their first annual reunion at the Batesburg-Leesville Leisure Center. A dinner of Bar-B-Que chicken is being offered. Dinner request must be in advance so we can prepare for the correct number of guests. For information call Fred Swygert at 803-532-6493.