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

Breakfast with Santa: Dec. 8, 10 am-2 pm at Cayce Moose Lodge #462, 1541 Old Dunbar Rd, West Columbia, SC. Bring your kids for breakfast with Santa. Free for kids 13 and under with qualified Moose members, everyone else $5. Visit www.facebook.com/events/1226879614130301/ for more info.

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.

Cayce Tree Lighting: Nov. 29, 6 pm at 1800 12th St Ext, Cayce. Bring canned goods and non-perishables for God’s Helping Hands, and take part in the community reception. Free admission, though proceeds from the sale of lights will be given to God’s Helping Hands.

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. 22-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.

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.

Pine Ridge Christmas Parade: Dec. 1, 3-4:30 pm at the Town of Pine Ridge 2757 Fish Hatchery Road, Pine Ridge. Visit www.facebook.com/events/749613855431149/ for more info.

Pine Ridge Christmas Tree Lighting: Nov. 30, 6-8 pm at Town of Pine Ridge, 2757 Fish Hatchery Road, Pine Ridge. Visit www.facebook.com/events/421392401723999/ for more info.

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 Columbia at 200 N. 12th St, West Columbia for the 14th annual Christmas tree lighting. Event will feature a beautiful arrangement of Christmas Music. The excited winners 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.

Wingard’s Family Christmas: Dec. 15, 9 am-5 pm. At Wingard’s Market 1403 N. Lake Dr, Lexington. Meet Mrs. Claus, ride the Santa Train (11 am-1 pm) and stop in the Produce Market for hot apple cider and cookies. Don’t forget your camera for beautiful family picture spots throughout the Garden Center. Attendance is free, overflow parking at Pilgrim Lutheran Church. For more info visit www.facebook.com/events/1903594139717772/ .

events

BLOOD DRIVES: Lexington: Nov. 25, 9 am-2 pm, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2350 Augusta Hwy. Make an appointment at www.RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

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.

Preschool Story-time: Storytime is a fun way to introduce preschoolers to literature. It includes books, storytelling, poetry and songs. Cayce-West Columbia Library on Dec. 3 & 10, 10-10:30 am. For more info call (803) 794-6791; South Congaree-Pine Ridge Library on Dec. 3 & 10, 11:30-12 pm. For more info call 803-785-3050; Swansea Library Dec. 4, 11 & 18, 11:30-12 pm. For more info call (803) 785-3519. For more locations and dates visit: www.lex.lib.sc.us/calendar.asp .

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. Park St in Lexington. Call 803-957-7979 to register. Each participant will get a certificate to turn into their insurance agent for discounted car insurance for 3 years. Class is $15 for AARP members, $20 for non-members.

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.sc.gov or call 803-957-6484.

Native American History of Lexington: Nov. 27, 6:30-7:30 pm at Lexington Main Library. Join us for a lecture on the history of the Native Americans of Lexington County. Presented in partnership with the Lexington County Museum. For more info 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 LESSONS: Sundays 1:30 pm, The Barn, 680 Cherokee Lane, West Columbia. First lesson free, then $5 per lesson. Info: 772-0546.

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.

Lexington Co. Comm. MHC BOD: Nov. 26, 5:30 pm. The Lexington Co. Comm. MHC Board of Directors will meet at 108 Palmetto Park Boulevard, Suite D. Residents of Lexington County are invited.

Lexington County Voter Registration and Election Commission: meets November 29 at 9:30 am at its office, 605 West Main St, suite C, Lexington.

Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group: Meets every month 3rd Tuesday at 2 pmat Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, Lexington. For more information, call Carolyn Brooks 803-960-9949 or Sue Amick 803-463-2001.

music/theater

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS: Dec. 14-15, 7:30 pm, Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, Lexington. Tickets $5 at the door or visit www.saxegotha.org .

BAND CONCERT: Dec. 5, 7 pm, Free performance by Lexington Community Band at Lexington One Performing Arts Center (Lexingon High School on Augusta Road). Featuring selections from popular movies, patriotic marches, jazzy tunes, and some holiday favorites.  Joining the band as special guest conductor will be Dr. Cormac Cannon, Director of the University of South Carolina Marching Band, as well as elementary school chorus students from Midway, New Providence, and Red Bank Elementary Schools. Info:  www.lexingtoncommunityband.org .

“Let’s Reconnect” Piano Concert: Dec. 30, 4 pm at Gilbert United Methodist Church at 510 Main St., Gilbert, SC. See Jim Hendricks perform. Attendees will be invited to purchase music and/or piano scores, contribute to a love-gift, and attend a post-concert “Meet & Greet”.

Noah Guthrie: Apr. 12, 6 pm. The Noah Guthrie show scheduled for Sept. 21 at Lexington’s Icehouse Amphitheater was postponed until April 12 due to filming and media requirements of NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Tickets for the new date will go on sale Dec. 12. All tickets purchased for the previous show will be honored. If the new date does not work, ticket purchasers may request a full refund from their source of purchase. For more info email icehouseamp@lexsc.com or call 803-358-7275.

THE NUTCRACKER: Pressented by the Columbia City Ballet at the Koger Center for the Arts. Performances Dec. 8, 9 and 15 at 7:30 pm; Dec. 8, 9 and 16 at 3 pm. Tickets $5 to $32; charge tickets by phone at 803-251-2222.

Record Store Day/CD Release Party: Nov. 23 from 8 am-7 pm at Scratch N’ Spin at 513 12th St, West Columbia. Enjoy exclusive Record Store Day vinyl and see live musical performances starting at 11:30 am from Prettier Than Matt and BC Villanova. For more info: www.facebook.com/events/506229666544839/ .