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.

Comic Book Signing: Nov. 17, 12-2 pm at Scratch N’ Spin, 513 12th St, West Columbia. Writer Chuck Brown will sign copies of Bitter Root #1 and answer questions about the series. Every purchase of Bitter Root #1 comes with a raffle ticket for a chance to win an original sketch by series artist Sanford Greene. Limited edition black & white prints by legendary artist Mike Mignola and a limited number of copies also signed by Sanford Greene will be available. For info www.facebook.com/events/1936162569804716/

Words & Wine Holiday Book Signing: Nov. 20, 6-8 pm at Jubilee Circle 2627 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC. Meet local authors and select holiday gifts. Selections include fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, cookbooks, and poetry. Music by Ken & Igor. Wine and light refreshments served. FREE gift wrapping offered. For more info call (803) 262-8646 or visit www.facebook.com/events/1172259406269970

Christmas

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 .

HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON THE RIVER: Nov. 21-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.

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

Snowball Festival: Nov. 30 6-8 pm at Lexignton 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.

events

BLOOD DRIVES: Cayce-West Columbia: Nov. 19, 9 am-2 pm, SC Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation, 1410 Boston Ave.; Lexington: Nov. 20, 10 am-3 pm, Morgan & Associates, 104 Hamilton St., Nov. 21, noon-5 pm, Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, 254 Longs Pond Rd., Nov. 25, 9 am-2 pm, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2350 Augusta Hwy.; Ir-mo: 9 am-3 pm, Irmo High School, 6671 St. Andrews Rd. Make an apoitment at www.Red-CrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

Fall Event: Nov. 17, 9 am-1 pm at the Hen House Ministry, Hwy 3 1556 Whetstone Road, Swansea, SC. There will be a bake sale, yard sale, country store, and Gamecock Queen Size Quilt Raffle - tickets are $1 each. For more info: 803-568-5499.

Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show: Nov. 16-17, 10 am-6 pm; Nov. 18 12-5 pm at Jamil Temple 206 Jamil Rd., Columbia. Jewelry, beads, loose stones, fossils, minerals, gold, silver, & tools for sale. Geodes sold & cut. For more info www.cgms.rocks .

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

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.

Unity in the community: Nov. 18, 5 pm at Ice-house Amphitheater. Join First Baptist Lexington for their Unity in the Community Thanksgiving service. There will be a 75 minute praise and gospel centered service with light refreshments to follow. The speaker will be Dr. Andre Rogers.

Lessons/Seminars

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.

Couponing Class: Nov. 17, 2-4 pm at the Irmo Branch of Lexington County Library. Adults new to couponing or who could use a refresher should attend this workshop. Discover how you can drastically cut your budget for shopping expenses using coupons and planning. Presented in partnership with Southern Savers. Registration required. Call 803-798-7880 ext 2 to attend.

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.

Tech Training: Nov. 26, 2-3 pm at Lexington Main Library. Get personal assistance with your computer, smartphone or tablet. Sessions are 30 minutes and registration is required.

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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 .

BROTHERS, SING ON: a concert by Palmetto Master Singers and Palmetto Brass, 7:30 pm Nov. 16, Union Methodist Church, Irmo, and Nov. 17, Shandon Presbyterian Church, Woodrow and Devine, Columbia. Adults $15 at www.palmettomastersingers.orgor at the door.

“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”.

M*A*S*H: Nov. 15-18 at Village Square Theater in Lexington. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm M*A*S*H stands for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. See the two unpredictable madcaps, Hawkeye and Duke. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for students/seniors/military, and $14 for children. Tickets may be purchased online at www.villagesquaretheatre.com or by calling the box office at 803-359-1436.

MUSICAL POTPOURRI: Nov. 18, 3:30 pm, Harbison Theatre, Midlands Technical College, 7300 College St., Irmo. Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra presents free concert, donations accepted. Music from Mozart to Rodgers and Hammerstein. Info: www.LMSO.com or 803-400-3540.

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.

JudaH Tribe: Nov. 17 11:30 am at Icehouse Amphitheater. Join Touch His Cloak Ministries for a performance from Judah Tribe. Free event.

“Silent Voices”: Nov. 15, 6 pm doors open. Homeless Helping Homeless of Columbia will present a unique and inspirational evening of original music, spoken word, poetry, and dance at Tapps Art Center 1644 Main St, Columbia. The performances are based on homeless artists’ life experiences. There will be a silent auction and light refreshments. Tickets are general admission with a suggested donation of $10 at the door.

Outdoor Fun

Guided Walking Tours: 12,000 Year History Park on Congaree Creek. Tours start at Cayce Tennis Center 1120 Fort Congaree Trail in Cayce. Arrive 15 minutes before tour. Tour dates: Nov. 17, 1 pm Fort Congaree & 18th Century Trade Tour, 6 pm Native American Lifeways Lantern Tour; Dec. 1, 1 pm Battle of Congaree Creek, 3 pm Fort Congaree and 18th Century Trade Tour. For more info visit www.Facebook.com/12000YearHistoryPark .