-ANIMALS

Project Pet will host Bark To The Park

April 18 at Finlay Park. www.barktothepark.com

-ART University of South Carolina will host an exhibition of Southern folk- art materials and culture at the McKissick Museum through August 1. 777-2876.

-AUTOMOBILES Suddeth Automotive is offering Free Car Care Inspections during the entire month of April. Inspections are offered Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, 1410 North Millwood Avenue in downtown Columbia. www.suddethauto.com

-CHURCH/CHARITY First Presbyterian Church will hold its weekly lunch and speaker series Wednesdays, at 11:30 am- 12:50 pm, 1324 Marion St. Soup and salad $5; hot meal, $6. Free parking available. 799-9062.

-CHILDREN 23rd annual A(ugusta) Baker's Dozen: A Celebration of Stories will be April 24- 25, 11 am- 1:30 pm, at the Richland County Public Library. 929-3474.

-DANCE The Greater Columbia Chapter of USA Dance, Inc. will hold a Salsa Workshop April 19, 1 pm- 3 pm, at the Hugh Dimmery Memorial Center. www.USADance.com or 407-0132.

The Richland County Recreation Commission will host Puttin' on the Ritz May 1, 7 pm- 11 pm, at the Adult Activity Center, 7494 Parklane Road. Adults, ages 21+, can purchase tickets for $18/person at the center in advance. 754-7275 ext.220

-ENTERTAINMENT The 12 Annual NatureFest at Congaree National Park will be April 18- 19. Programs are free. 776-4396 ext. 10 or www.nps.gov/cong

Olympia Fest will be held April 18, 11 am, at the corner of Olympia and Whaley Streets. 240-8499.

Rosewood Crawfish Festival will be May 2, 11 am- 8 pm, on Rosewood Drive. rachel.smith@firstcitizensonline.com

-FOOD The Columbia Regional Visitors Center will host a bake- off competition with entries due May 15 between 9 am- 11:30 am. www.columbiacvb.com/ntw

The Sandhill Farmers Market will be open every Tuesday from April 21- November 24, 3:30 pm, at 900 Clemson Rd. 788-5700.

Eastover Ruritan all you can eat Oyster Roast and Shrimp Boil will be April 18, 4 pm- 8 pm, at the Hampton Building on the State Fairgrounds. 353-2913.

Trinity Presbyterian Church will hold a BBQ and Bake Sale along with a Car Wash and Garage Sale April 18, 11 am- 2 pm, at 1000 Greenlawn Drive. Adults $7, children $4. RyegateCC@aol.com

-FUNDRAISER Riverbanks Society will host the 6th annual Wine Tasting April 24, 7 pm- 9:30 pm, at Riverbanks Botanical Garden. All proceeds will benefit ongoing conservation and education efforts at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. www.riverbanks.org

The University of South Carolina's dance program will host its annual fundraising gala April 25, 7 pm, in the university's new band and dance building. Tickets are $75 or $125. 777-9353.

Columbia Museum of Art's Soirée du Soleil will host a fundraising gala April 18 from 7 pm- midnight. Tickets are $150 per person and $175 the night of the event. 343-2210.

The South Carolina Philharmonic's Painted Violins fundraiser will be April 23-24, 6 pm- 9 pm, at the Whit- Ash Rug Gallery.

The Children's Trust of South Carolina will host The Picasso Project April 24, 7 pm- Midnight, at Hilton Columbia Center. Tickets $65 per person / $125 per couple. www.scchildren.org

-GARDEN Richland County Master Gardeners will host its annual Garden Market April 25, 9 am- 5 pm, at the Sparkleberry Country Fair at Sandhills Research and Education Center. 788-5700.

-MEETINGS Grief and Loss support Group at Lutheran Hospice meets every second Thursday of each month, 11:30 am- 12:30 pm, in the conference room at 1505 Blanding Street. Free and open to the public. 461-0456.

Columbia Barbershop Harmonizers a male chorus/ensemble, all types of music in the Barbershop Quartet style, are seeking male singers, and meets Mondays, 7 pm at Shandon United Methodist Church, 3407 Devine St. 798-1538.

Lake Murray Association will hold its quarterly public meeting will be April 28, 7 pm, at Lexington High School on Augusta Highway. kaygordon@bellsouth.net or 749-3888.

-MUSIC The University of South Carolina will present its annual Spring Concert April 17, 7:30 pm, St. Andrew Baptist Church. 777-5369.

The Five Points Association will host Five

After Five each Thursday through June from 6:30 pm- 10 pm at the Five Points Fountain, corner of Harden and Greene streets. 446-8929.

Richland One will host its first Jazz Festival April 26, 2 pm- 7 pm, at Finlay Park. 231-7510.

-REUNION A.C. Flora High School class of 1999 will celebrate its 10 Year High School Reunion July 25 at the Vista Room of the Blue Marlin. 467-4664.

Columbia High School classes of 1958 and 1959 will celebrate their reunion May 30 at Seawells on Rosewood. The fee is $50 per person. 772-2218.

-SPORTS/EXERCISE Charwood Country Club will host a Charity Golf Tournament April 20, 9 am. www.thetherapyplace.org or 755-2000.

5K Riverfest Epilepsy Run/Walk will be April 25, 8 am, at the Riverfront Park, at Huger and Laurel Streets. www.firstgiving.com/epilepsysc or 798-8502.

Junior Tennis League application deadline is April 25. Registration forms are available at local parks, tennis clubs and on line at www.juniortennisleague.org 781-1888.

Palmetto Health Foundation will host the 19th Annual McDaniels Golf Classic May 1 at Fort Jackson Golf Club. palmettohealthfoundation.org or 434-2738.

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina will host its third annual National Walk @ Lunch Day® April 29, 11 am- 2 pm, at the Statehouse. 264-4612.

NAMIWALKS 5K will be April 25, 7:30 am- 9 am, at the West Columbia Riverfront Park. www.nami.org/namiwalks/SC/Columbia

Columbia QuadSquad will host Capital

Punishment tournament against the Richland County Regulators and the Low Country High Rollers April 26, 3:30 pm, at Jamil Temple. www.columbiaquadsquad.com

-THEATER Theatre South Carolina will perform

Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage and Her

Children April 17- 26, 8 pm, in Drayton Hall. Tickets are $16 for the public; $14 for military, seniors, faculty and staff; and $10 for students. 777-9353.

The NiA Company will present Fat Pig by Neil Labute April 17- 25, 8 pm, in the Trustus Black Box. 254-9732.

The University of South Carolina's Lab Theatre will perform Ellen McLaughlin's

Iphigenia and Other Daughters April 23- 26, 8 pm, at the Booker T. Washington building on Wheat Street. 777-9353.

-VOLUNTEER Regency Hospice offers free training to adults willing to sit with patients, run errands for families, make phone calls, or help with related office tasks. 765-0099.

Home Works of America will hold a

One- Day Blitz April 25. Volunteers are needed to repair homes for the elderly and disadvantaged. $25 donation requested. www.homeworksofamerica.org

The American Red Cross of Central South Carolina is seeking new volunteers to help fulfill its mission of providing relief to victims of disaster and helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. www.CentralSCRedCross.org or 540-1200.