Calendar

BOOKS

The Richland County Public Library and the Colonial Center are hosting It's a Slam Dunk! , a reading contest that encourages teens to get active at the library through Oct. 17. The program rewards teens ages 13-19 for reading with the chance to win four tickets to the NBA preseason showdown between the Indiana Pacers and the Charlotte Bobcats. 929-3434. The Richland County Public Library will host the Art of Recovery , a mixed media exhibit sponsored by the S.C. Department of Mental Health, through Nov. 1 in the Wachovia Gallery of the Main Library, 1431 Assembly St. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

CHURCH/CHARITY

Ebenezer Lutheran Church will present its Theologian in Residence Series Nov. 2 and 3 featuring Ron Rash, novelist and poet. 765-9430 or www.ebenexerlutheran.org.

First Presbyterian Church , 1324 Marion St., will host its Wednesdays at Noon lunch service series in Jackson Hall. Lunch begins at 11:45 am, followed by a speaker from 12:25-12:50 pm. A hot meal is $5; soup/salad bar is $4. 799-9062, ext. 261.

Palmetto Painters will host the 7th Annual Auction Oct. 14 in the fellowship hall of Green Hill Baptist Church, 1734 Augusta Road. Previewing of items will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the Silent Auction will start at noon. A portion of this year's sales will be donated to Sister Care. Handpainted Christmas ornaments will also be available for sale. Refreshments provided; admission is free. www.palmettopainters.com.

Miles for Melanoma , a fun run/walk will be held at Lake Carolina on Sat., Sept. 30 at 8:30 a.m. to benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation and Children's Charities of the Midlands. Registration begins at 8 am, and the cost of participation is $20 per person. Contact Rachel Hammond, 461-9586.

Blythewood Lions Club will hold its Fall Bazaar Oct. 7, 8 am-2 pm at the Blythewood Community Center. Call Katie Stevens (754-8047) or Betty Moak (754-1688) for booth information.

FAMILY

The SC Wildlife Federation and The SC Department of Natural Resources , will host Outdoor Family Adventure at DNR's Cohen Campbell Fish Hatchery to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sat., Sept. 30 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 734-3886 or www.dnr.state.sc.us.

The Department of Parks and Recreation will host Fun Fridays! , beginning in October. Ranger Walks will be held weekly from 4-5 pm. The cost is free. Contact Karen Kustafik, 545-3117.

HEALTH

Local Piggly Wiggly supermarkets will offer flu and pneumonia shots from Oct.-mid Nov. The cost will be $25 for the flu shot and $40 for the pneumonia shot. For a list of the participating stores visit www.thepig.net.

Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi , an expert on disorders of the nervous system, will be the featured speaker for the Caskey Lecture on Wed., Oct. 4, at USC from 7-8:30 pm in the Lumpkin Auditorium of the Moore School of Business. The lecture is free and open to the public. 777-5400.

The 2006 Health Ministry Empowerment Tour will offer free health screenings and life management workshops. The tour kicks off in Winnsboro, S.C. on Sat., Oct. 7, at Fairfield Central High. Doors open at 8 a.m. The event is free but pre-registration is required. 1-803-252-0647 or www.imarawoman.com.

MEETINGS

The Midlands Libertarian Society will meet October 9, 7 pm at Carolina Wings and Ribs on N. Lake Dr. 239-1600 or dcmorris@windstream.net

Horrell Hill Family and Community Leaders Club meets the first Thursday of each month at 10:30 am. Contact Alice Williams, 776-7888, for the next meeting location.

Columbia's Parks and Recreation Toastmasters Club meets at noon on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at The Charles R. Drew Wellness Center, 2102 Walker Solomon Way. Contact Larry S. Thompson, 545-3095.

The Business Association of Columbia , meets every Wednesday at the Summit Club for breakfast to share sales leads. Contact Ken Connor, 2562354.

The Kiwanis Club of Richland meets the 1st & 3rd Mondays of each month at the Lizard?s Thicket on Beltline. Call Ken Connor, 256-2354.

The Trenholm Artists Guild meets the second Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Forest Lake Recreation Center, 6820 Wedgefield Rd. Contact Mary Williams, 356-0381 or www.trenholmartistsguild.org.

MUSEUMS

USC's McKissick Museum will celebrate its 30 anniversary and will display items from its own collections in an exhibit called Telling Our Story: 30th Anniversary of McKissick Museum, through Dec. 9. The exhibit is free and open to the public. 777-7251 or www.cas.sc.edu/mcks/.

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT

The Korean Festival will be October 8, 2006, at the Korean Community Presbyterian Church, 1412 Richland Street, from 4-8 pm.

Columbia Harmonizers male chorus/ensemble meets Thursdays, 7:30 pm at Shandon United Methodist Church, 3407 Devine St. Call Joe Solito, 783-8475.

City Center Partnership's Fall 2006 Main Street Marketplace will be every Friday through Nov. 3, and a holiday market on Fri., Dec. 1 from 10 am- 2 pm. Vendors and entertainment will be at the new First Citizens Plaza, 1230 Main St. Contact Alicia Morgan, 779-4005, ext. 2042 or alicia@cartertodd.com.

The Nickelodeon Theatre , 937 Main St., will present the 6th Annual Latin American Film Festival, September 28-October 5. 254-8234 or www.nickelodeon.org.

The Richland County Public Library will host Teen Idol , a vocal competition just for teens! The show, complete with a variety of prizes, studio time and the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at a USC basketball game, will be held at 6:30 pm on Oct. 26 in the Bostick Auditorium of the Richland County Public Library, 1431 Assembly St. Auditions will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 30 at the Main Library. 929-3434 or www.richland.lib.sc.us/teen.

The Irmo Okra Strut will be Sept. 29 & 30. The festival is open from 10 am-5 pm. 781-6122 or www.irmookrastrut.com.

The 2006 Free Times Music Crawl will be Sept. 30 at four participating venues in Columbia. The event is open to fans aged 18 and older, and for $5, festival-goers can visit all five stages. The Art Bar kicks things off early at 6:15 p.m., with the other venues starting around 8 p.m. www.free-times.com.

The S.C. Philharmonic will host Cellist Zuill Bailey on Sat., Oct. 7 at 7 pm. Bailey will also play in an intimate fundraising concert for the Philharmonic on Fri., Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Heathwood Hall Episcopal School's Mary Rainey Belser Auditorium. 254-7445 or www.SCPhilharmonic.com.

USC's School of Music will present the biennial Payne Family Concert, featuring USC music professor Dr. Dorothy Payne and her siblings, Tues., Oct. 10 at 730 pm in the school's recital hall. The concert is free.

The Five Points Association will present their Five After Five - Fall Series 2006. Upcoming concerts will be Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19, Oct. 26 and Oct. 31 All concerts are from 6:30-10 pm.

The Congaree Swamp Fest Committee will host the 4th Annual Swamp Fest, Sat., Oct. 7 at the Congaree National Park in Hopkins. The event begins at 10 am. Contact Marie Adams, 788-7185 or Thomas Gunter, 776-5729.

USC will perform Sketches from Chronicle , one of dance legend Martha Graham's most sought-after works, Oct. 5 & 6 at the Koger Center. Contact Peggy Binette or Margaret Lamb, 777-5400.

USC will host a series of public events based on the book The Nickel Run , by Columbia child psychologist and writer Cindy Nord, Sept. 30. Contact Charlene Spearen, 777-5492 or cmspeare@gwm.sc.edu.

SPORTS

YWCA and USC Athletes will offer a Workshop for Young Girls on Sat., Sept. 30 from 10 am-1 p.m. and will feature games, prizes, refreshments and more. All participants must be accompanied by an adult. The event is free. 252-2151.

St. Andrews Park will host a Back-to-Basics Basketball Clinic Sat., Oct. 14 from 10 am-1 pm. Kids ages 7-14 can register today; the cost is $15. 772-6598.

TRAINING/EDUCATION

The Lexington Police Department is currently seeking applicants for the Citizen's Police Academy. The academy will run for ten weeks starting Sept. 14 through Nov. 16 Thursday nights from 7 pm-9 pm. Contact Officer Jason Harbaugh, 359-6260 or 358-1504.

The SC Wildlife Federation (SCWF) will sponsor the 14th Annual Women's Outdoor Recreation Retreat, Oct. 6-8. The registration fee is $75 and includes all equipment and 256-0670 or www.scwf.org.

The Auntie Karen Foundation , 3419 Hazelhurst Rd., will host the 4th Annual Young Entrepreneurs Conference, Sat., Oct. 7at Benedict College from 9 am-4 pm.

748-7124, or via email AKFoundation@aol.com.

TRAVEL

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary is offering the course, Cultures, Religions, and Christian Denominations in the Holy Land, a study tour of Israel ($2,298 from Columbia), this Jan. 822 with the option of a Sinai extension ($498, Jan 828). Contact Dr. Monte Luker for details, 787-0864 or LLuker@mac.com. Participation is limited so immediate registration isrecommended.

VOLUNTEERS

The S.C. Wildlife Federation needs volunteers for the Outdoor Family Adventure on Sat., Sept. 30 at the Cohen Campbell Fish Hatchery. Call 256-0670 or whitney@scwf.org.