-ANIMALS Pet Adoption on the Lawn at Mars Petcare US, 1720 Pineview Drive, Columbia, South Carolina 29209, will be held Saturday, September 12, 10 am- 2 pm. The event features discounted adoption fees, canine demonstrations, free admission and parking, and free food and beverage. 888-607-4798.

-BOOKS Zhaxi Zhuoma Rinpoche will speak

on the book H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha

III Thursday, October 1, noon- 1:30 pm, Boardroom, Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main Street, Columbia. 559-875-3515, www.zhaxizhuoma.net

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

St. David Episcopal Church will sell barbecue meals to benefit missionary work in Honduras, September 4- 5 at the church, 605 Polo Road. Meals include pork barbecue, hash and rice, baked beans, cole slaw, and bread. Adults and teens $8, children 12 and under, $4. 736-0866.

Saint James A.M.E Church will celebrate its 138th Anniversary August 30, 4 pm, at 413 Henderson Street. 561-9624.

Forest Acres Women to Women Bible Study will meet each Wednesday September 9- November 18, 9:30 am, at Covenant Presbyterian Church. 782-9165.

-DANCE The Filipino- American Association of Greater Columbia (FAAGC) will celebrate its 19th Annual Gala and 13th Induction Ball with a formal dinner- dance, Saturday, August 29, 6 pm to midnight at the Marriott Hotel on 1200 Hampton Street. www.FilAmSC.org, 787-5255, 233-9622, or 960-8785.

-FILMS All For Liberty, the award winning feature film about the Revolutionary War in South Carolina, will premiere in Columbia, September 26 at the South Carolina State Museum with proceeds to benefit the Sandlapper Society. There will be two screenings at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at 359-9954.

-FOOD The Sandhill Farmers Market is open every Tuesday through November 24, 2:30 pm, 900 Clemson Rd. 788-5700.

-FUNDRAISER Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia will host its Third Annual McDonald's of Camden Sporting Clays Tournament presented by McDonald's of Camden and Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Saturday, August 29, at Hermitage Farm Shooting Sports in Camden. Registration begins at 9 am. 254-0118 or email anrmhc@bellsouth. net

Kickin' Cancer Nite Owl Ride, a 12- hour cycling event at night over the Gervais Street Bridge between Columbia and West Columbia, will be held on Friday, September 11, 8 pm through Saturday, September 12, 8 am, to benefit Children's Chance and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. www.niteowlride.org or 254-5996.

Benefit Dinner for Donna "Mom" Kitchen will be held Friday, September 11, at the home of Tim and Lou Jackson, 81 Catawba Timber Road, Camden, S.C. Tickets for steak dinner are $10 per person purchased in advance. A Poker Run will be held Saturday, September 12, 10 am- noon; entry fee is $20 per rider, $10 per passenger. Raffle tickets are on sale for a gas/charcoal grill and other prizes. 461-5578, stepside_runner@yahoo.com, or tonyk40@hotmail.com

Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (CPAAA) will hold its Fourth Annual Golf Scholarship Tournament Tuesday, September 15, Woodcreek Farms Country Club, 301 Club Ridge Road, Elgin, S.C. 29045; registration begins at 10:30 am, shotgun start at noon. Cost is $70 per person or $280 for a team. 733-8572 or 781-6094.

Columbia charities join together to

present First Annual Grillin' at the

Fountain August 29, noon- 3 pm, Five Points Fountain with food, fun, and fellowship at the first annual Columbia Cares, Evelyn Azar Charity Event. www.columbiacares.me or 513-3357.

-LUNCHEONS Retired Senator John Drummond, Senators John Courson and Phil Leventis, Representatives Bill Herbkersman and James Smith will be honored with a green tie luncheon, Wednesday, September 16, 11:30 am- 1:30 pm, Grand Hall of Historic 701 Whaley. 701 Whaley Street, Columbia. 799-0716.

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

Jazz at the Village Fall Concert Series will be held 2 pm- 4 pm Sundays, Village at Sandhill, Town Center Commons, with the following bands scheduled: September 6, Gene Dykes Band; September 13, Robert Gardiner Quintet; September 20, Ross Holmes Band; September 27, The Swing Set Band; October 4, Clear Vision; October 11, New Century Salon Orchestra; October 18, Dick Goodwin Quintet; October 25, U.S.C. Carolina Alive Vocal Jazz Ensemble U.S.C. Saxophone Quartet. 419-0235 or swhite@villageatsandhill. com

J Edwards - Pop, Blues & Contemporary will perform Sunday, September 6 as part of a fall concert series Sounds of the Shoals at Saluda Shoals Park. 213-2035.

-OUTDOORS Guided nature tour with Dr. Rudy Mancke will be held at Cayce Riverwalk Park, Saturday, September 12, 10 am and 1 pm. Spaces are limited so reservations are necessary. 796-9020.

-RUNNING/WALKING 8th Annual Run Wild Cross Country Festival will be August 29, 8 am, Sesqui State Park . 556-6285.

City of Columbia will host 2009 Freedom Walk to memorialize the 9/11 victims and honor local first responders Friday, September 11. Walkers assemble at the State House at 11:30 am, Memorial Ceremony will be held at City Hall at noon. 545-3020 or pio@columbiasc.net

-TRAINING/EDUCATION Climate Protection Action Campaign will host Green is Good for Business Conference September 1, 8:30 am- 5 pm, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. 545-CPAC.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Mid- Carolina will hold a 12- week course for family of adults with severe mental illnesses beginning Monday, September 14, 6 pm- 8:30 pm, Dorn VA Medical Center. Pre- registration is required. 776-4000, ext. 4116 or email NAMIVASC@sc.rr.com

-VOLUNTEER Reliant Hospice is seeking Volunteers to assist its network of caregivers. www.relianthospice.com