Around the Town

The Spring Valley Education Foundation will hold its 19th annual auction to support Spring Valley High School February 26, at the Wildewood Country Club Tennis Center. Rally in the Valley II will begin at 6 pm with a silent auction.

699-3500-ext. 5570

Church/Charity

The Friends of the

Richland County Public Library will host the 12th annual A Tisket, A Tasket, A Literary Basket fundraiser, 1431 Assembly Street. 929-3475

American Red Cross of Central SC will have a benefit March 1, 8 pm, showing of Always Patsy Cline at the Town Theatre, sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield. All proceeds will benefit the programs and services of the American Red Cross of Central SC. 540-1233 or 540-1220

Beach Ball 2005, benefitting Palmetto Place Children’s Emergency Shelter, a temporary home for abused, abandoned, and neglected children will be held March 12 (7:30 pm–1 am), silent auction (7:30 pm–10 pm). Beach Ball is hosted by Junior Woman’s Club. They will also host a golf tournament at Northwoods Golf Club and a corporate Fun Friday the day prior to Beach Ball 2005. 600-7780

Entertainment

The City Center Partnership Spring Downtown Magnolia Market will be every Saturday in April from 10 am–2 pm. Vendors will be located along Hampton Street between Main and Assembly Streets. Entertainment will be performed in front of the Columbia Museum of Art on Boyd Plaza. Contact Betsy Crick. 779-4005, ext. 36. Free parking and admission.

Michelin North America, Inc. will hold an International Corporate Tour and Lunch for a behind the scenes tour February 21, 12 pm. Michelin North America, is located at 2400 Two Notch Road, Lexington. RSVP, 252-2197

Historic Seventh Annual Chili Cook–off will be held February 26, 5–8 pm in the historic Tapps Building. The cook–off will feature musical entertainment, a variety of chilies, local celebrity judges and cash prizes for the winners. 252-1770

Literature

The largest literary event in the state and one of the foremost book festivals in the Southeast is coming to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center February 18–20. Opening Night Reception, 7–10 pm. 771-2477. February 20, signings, book shopping, master classes. Panels will be 10 am–5 pm. Admission: free, Master Classes; $10.

929-3475

Meetings

Lectures

The SC Women’s Business Center, located at 817 Calhoun Street is holding two workshops this month to train women (and other entrepreneurs) who wish to learn how to put together a business plan and take the initial steps in starting a new business. The workshops will be February 8, 2–3:30 pm, and February 23, 5:30—7 pm at SCWBC’s offices.

461-8900.

Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital is offering a Stop Smoking Class . Call Dr. Michaels at 434-2498.

SC Annual Conference for Caregivers of Young Children will be held March 12, 7:15 am—4:45 pm. The conference will be at the North Charleston Convention Center, 5055 International Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418. Earn up to 7 DSS approved credits. 1-888-898-1511 or

843-763-3067

CCREI presents nationally renowned author, investor, educator and entrepreneur, Pete Young to speak at its monthly seminar on February 24th, 6:30 pm—9 at Shoals Park off Bush River Road.

Seating is limited! 206-1935

The Richland County Public Library will host Feng Shui in a Nutshell , a class discussion about the basics of feng shui, at two locations this spring: 7 pm, March 8, Southeast Regional Branch, 7421 Garners Ferry Road, 776-0855 and April 5, St. Andrews Regional Branch, 2916 Broad River Road, 772-6675. Registration is required.