Author Events

Authors for Literacy: Dec. 1, 11 am-2 pm. Looking for something unique for someone who has everything? How about a personally autographed book from our Authors for Literacy? 20 authors will sign their books for you at the Lexington main library.

Christmas

A Starry Night: Dec. 7, 4-9 pm at Five Points, Columbia. Enjoy sales and specials as well as holiday-themed activities during a night full of holiday cheer complete with live musical performances, free face painting and cookie decorating, as well as opportunities to write letters to Santa and visit with Santa! For a complete list of activities and participating vendors, visit: http://fivepointscolumbia.com/events/A-Starry-Night .

CANDLELIGHT TOURS & CARRIAGE RIDES: Dec. 14, 5:30 – 9 pm, Robert Mills House & Hampton-Preston Mansion. Visit the decorated halls of historic homes, enjoy live music, entertainment, children’s activities and hot chocolate. Take a carriage ride through the Robert Mills Historic District. Adults $15, $8 youth. Carriage rides $10 should be purchased inadvance to ensure availability at www.historiccolumbia.org, or call 803-351-1770, ext. 23.

Carols Along the Riverwalk: Nov. 30, 6:30-8 pm at the N Avenue Entrance, Riverwalk Pavilion. Parking at Brookland-Cayce High School, free trolley ride to the Riverwalk. The sounds of Christmas abound at the Cayce Riverwalk Park where several area church choirs and local musicians will be located. Visitors can wander from group to group enjoying holiday musical selections. The River-walk will be lighted with luminaries and refreshments will be served free of charge.

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS: Concert by Lake Murray Choral Society Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 7:30 pm, Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, 5503 Sunset Blvd., Lexington. Tickets available one hour prior to concert or may be purchased in advance at www.LexCoChoraSoc.org .

Christmas Vendor Craft Fair: Dec. 1, 10 am-3 pm. VFW Post 8738 424 Cedar-crest Dr, Lexington. Rain or shine.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON THE RIVER: Nov. 29-Dec. 31, 6-10 pm. Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Rd, Columbia. Drive-through more than one million holiday lights and 400 animated displays. $20 per car, $40 for 15-passenger vans, $60 for buses. Free laser light show. Ride the train, $2; hayride $3; Wonder Ride Tube Slide $2 per slide or $10 unlimited.

Lessons & Carols Service:  Sun., Dec. 9 at 11:00 am (Sanctuary). Join the Saxe Gotha Choirs, Ensembles & Musicians as we sing Christmas carols.

Little Bethlehem: Dec. 7-9 & 14-16, 6:30-8:30 pm. Free Admission. See a re-creation of the little village where Christ was born by First Baptist Church. Little Bethlehem will be at 403 Peach Festival Road, Gilbert, SC. Free hot chocolate, coffee, and middle eastern flatbread at the Village Cafe. Interact with the villagers and their animals. Visit www.firstbaptistgilbert.org for more details.

Nativity Exhibition: Dec. 15, 2-5 pm and Dec. 16, 3-6 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church, 1130 Calvary Church Road, Swansea. There is no admission fee for this event where over three hundred 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 information call

(803) 568-9712

RESOUNDING JOY: Dutch Fork Choral Society presents a free Christmas concert Nov. 30, 7:30 pm, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 170 St. Andrews Road, Irmo. The concert features a Christmas Cantata, antiphonal works by Gabrieli and Vivaldi, and festive holiday favorites. Donations graciously accepted. Info: www.dutchforkchoralsociety.com , Jim Buck, (803) 318-0488, or Email info@dutchforkchoralsociety.com .

Sandy Run Christmas Parade: Dec. 22, 10 am. On Old Sandy Run Road (Highway 31) in Sandy Run, SC. This year’s theme is “The 12 Days of Christmas”. If you have questions or would like to participate, call 803-928-6111 or email sandyrunparade@gmail.com .

Snowball Festival: Nov. 30, 6-8 pm at Lexington Square Park. Enjoy a concert and carnival in the square, with the tree lighting at 8 pm; Dec. 1, 5-9 pm at Icehouse Amphitheater. Enjoy a double feature of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and A Christmas Story. First movie begins at 5:30 pm, the second movie begins 10 minutes after the first concludes; Dec. 2, 3:30 pm on Main St. Enjoy the Lexington Christmas parade. For more info visit www.lexsc.com or call 803-356-8238. Admission to all events is FREE.

West Columbia Christmas Tree Lighting: Dec. 7, 6:30-8:30 pm. Join the City of West Colum--

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of the What Christmas Means to Me” essay contest will read their essays and the winning artists from local elementary schools will have their art on display. Refreshments will be provided inside City Hall after the ceremony.

events

Its now or never: Dec. 2, 9:30 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm at the Doubletree Hotel at 2100 Bush River Rd., Columbia. Join Dr. Addie L. Robinson from Philadelphia and Word of Life International Fellowship for the Unity In Christ Tour. For more information about the services call: (215) 948-9431. Free will offering.

food and fun

Lunch & Learn: Dec. 11, 12-1 pm. $10 for catered lunch at Shiloh United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 1000 Springhill rd., Gilbert, SC 29054. This month’s topic is Travel! Have a travel agent? Bakers View Travel will share what you need to know. RSVP by Dec. 5 by calling 803-359-7586 .

Power Hour: Lunch service at St. Stephen’s Lutheran church at 12 pm on Wednesdays. At 12 pm light lunch begins and the service begins at 12:30.

Lessons/Seminars

AARP Driver Safety: Dec. 7, 9 am-1 pm at Lexington County Leisure Commission, 108 Park St in Lexington. Call 803-957-7979 to register. Each participant will get a certificate to 29212 in room 302. Contact: turn into their insurance agent Donald Dills, 803-917-7726, for discounted car insurance for Kalenna Ginyard, 803-873-5433. 3 years. Class is $15 for AARP Pulmonary Fibrosis members, $20 for non-members. Support Group: Meets CONVERSATIONAL every month 3rd Tuesday at 2 SPANISH: Thursdays, 7-8 pmat Saxe Gotha Presbyterian pm, Family Life Center, Zion Lu- Church, Lexington. For more intheran Church, 226 Corley Mill formation, call Carolyn Brooks Rd., Lexington. Beginners & inter- 803-960-9949 or Sue Amick mediate. Free and open to pub- 803-463-2001.

lic. Info: Bridget Ridgell, 803-413-9534. music/theater GAL Training: Free 30-hour volunteer Guardian ad Li- AMAHL AND THE NIGHT tem training teaches about the VISITORS: Dec. 14-15, 7:30 Family Court system, how to rec- pm, Saxe Gotha Presbyterian ognize abuse and neglect and Church, Lexington. Tickets $5 at how to communicate with chil- the door or visit www.saxegodren, foster parents and every tha.org . party involved in the case. For more info and how to become a BAND CONCERT: Dec. 5, 7 GAL volunteer, visit http://gal.sc. pm, Free performance by Lexinggov or call 803-957-6484. ton Community Band at Lexington One Performing Arts Center PICKLEBALL: Free event ev- (Lexingon High School on Augusery Thursday morning, 10 am – ta Road). Featuring selections noon, rain or shine, and $2 Satur- from popular movies, patriotic day mornings,10 am – noon at marches, jazzy tunes, and some the Lexington County Tennis holiday favorites.  Joining the Complex, 425 Oak Drive, Lexing- band as special guest conductor ton. In the event of inclement will be Dr. Cormac Cannon, Di-weather, the Oak Grove Civic rector of the University of South Center at 584 Oak Drive will be Carolina Marching Band, as well used. All levels welcome. Come as elementary school chorus stulearn the game and/or share your dents from Midway, New Provipickleball expertise with new dence, and Red Bank Elementary players. Paddles and balls provid- Schools. Info:  www.lexingtoned by LCTC. communityband.org .

Meetings “Let’s Reconnect” Piano Concert: Dec. 30, 4

pm at Gilbert United Methodist Communications & Church at 510 Main St., Gilbert, Leadership: Lexington SC. See Jim Hendricks perform. County Toastmasters offers a way Attendees will be invited to purto learn and grow. 7:15 am on the chase music and/or piano 1st-3rd Thursday except holidays, scores, contribute to a love-gift, 2nd floor conference room, Lex- and attend a post-concert “Meet ington Medical Center, 811 West & Greet”. Main Street, Lexington. For de- THE NUTCRACKER: Pres-tails, contact Jerry Bellune at jer- sented by the Columbia City Balrybellune@yahoo.com or 803- let at the Koger Center for the 331-6695. Richland 2500 Toast- Arts. Performances Dec. 8, 9 and masters International meets 1st & 15 at 7:30 pm; Dec. 8, 9 and 16 3rd Thursday each month except at 3 pm. Tickets $5 to $32; holidays, 6:45-8:45 pm at Irmo charge tickets by phone at 803-Medical Park building - 7033 St. 251-2222. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC