GREAT AMERICAN BACKYARD BIRD COUNT: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, Congaree National Park. Arrive 15 minutes early; wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather; bring a snack, water bottle and binoculars (The park has a limited number of binoculars available on a first-come, first-served basis). Open to ages 5 and older, children ages 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Register in advance by calling (803) 776-4396, ext. 0. Info at birdsource.org/gbbc
MTC OPEN HOUSE: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Midlands Technical College’s Airport Campus, 1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia. Campus tour, admissions information, free assistance completing and filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Register at midlandstech.edu/openhouse
CORNBREAD KICKOFF: 6 tonight in the Eau Claire Print Building, 3907 Ensor Ave. Enjoy chili, cornbread and fun activities while helping the North Columbia Business Association plan the first annual Columbia Cornbread Festival slated for Nov. 3. (803) 331-2931; northcolumbiabusinessassociation.com
SMALL BUSINESS TAX WORKSHOP: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday at Midlands Technical College, Northeast Campus, 151 Powell Road. $35. Register at (803) 732-0432 or mtctraining.com
HOSPITALITY TAX GRANT WORKSHOP: Noon-2 p.m. Thursday at the Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Assistance in the application process for City of Columbia Hospitality Tax grants. Bring your lunch. (803) 545-2048 or email
SPEAKER AT THE CENTER: Noon Thursday at the State Library, 1430 Senate St., Room 309. Discussion of “Palmetto Portraits Project” with Paul Matheny III and Josephine Humphreys. Free; bring a bag lunch. Books will be available for purchase and autographing. Information at readsc.org
UNIVERSITY CHORUS: “Songs for the Soul,” 6 p.m. Thursday in the USC School of Music recital hall, 813 Assembly St. Free.
FREE FRIDAYS AT THE ZOO: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays through Feb. 24 at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway. Richland and Lexington residents receive free admission with a valid driver’s license or property tax statement as proof of residence. (803) 779-8717; riverbanks.org
S.C. BOTTLE CLUB SHOW AND SALE: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Meadowlake Park, 600 Beckman Road. Admission is a donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands. (803) 629-8553 or email
BURNING OF COLUMBIA REMEMBRANCE RALLY: 1-2:30 p.m. Friday on the Assembly Street side of the Statehouse. Sponsored by the S.C. Conservative Action Council. (803) 810-3021
MARDI GRAS AND KARAOKE: 6:30-9 p.m. Friday at Unity of Columbia, 1801 LeGrand Road. Food, fun and music in a family-friendly atmosphere. Advance tickets $10; ages 4-12, $5; $12 and $6 at the door. (803) 736-5766; unitycolumbia.addr.com
FESTIVAL OF CHOIRS: 7 p.m,. Friday at First Baptist Church, 1306 Hampton St. Performances by the Greater Columbia Children’s and Youth Choirs, the Sweet Adelines, the S.C. State Concert Choir, the Columbia Choral Society and the Palmetto Mastersingers. $10; palmettomastersingers.org
“PINKALICIOUS THE MUSICAL”: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; matinees at 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Columbia Children’s Theatre, 2nd level, Richland Mall, 3400 Forest Drive. Ages 3 and older, $8. (803) 691-4548; columbiachildrenstheatre.com
ARTS AT SHANDON: “Angela Blalock and Friends,” 7:30 p.m. Friday at Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow St. Free, but donations welcome. (803) 771-4408.
CAPITAL SENIOR CENTER DANCE: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday at 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Live music by the Dance Timers. $5; BYOB and snacks. (803) 779-1971
PARENTS NIGHT OUT: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Friday at the Jeep Rogers Family YMCA, Lake Carolina. Youngsters ages 14 and younger will enjoy swimming, crafts, group games and more. $25; members, $15 (includes dinner). Preregister at the front desk. (803) 451-8439
GREAT AMERICAN BACKYARD BIRD COUNT: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, Congaree National Park. Arrive 15 minutes early; wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather; bring a snack, water bottle and binoculars (The park has a limited number of binoculars available on a first-come, first-served basis). Open to ages 5 and older, children ages 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Register in advance by calling (803) 776-4396, ext. 0. Info at birdsource.org/gbbc
MTC OPEN HOUSE: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Midlands Technical College’s Airport Campus, 1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia. Campus tour, admissions information, free assistance completing and filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Register at midlandstech.edu/openhouse
COLLEGE GOAL SOUTH CAROLINA: Financial aid workshop, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the Richland County Public Library, 1431 Assembly St. Free help in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Register at collegegoalsc.org
MARDI GRAS: Noon-10 p.m. Saturday at City Roots Farm, 1005 Airport Blvd. Walking parade through the Rosewood area, 3 p.m.; come early and register your dog for the walk, $5 with all proceeds going to the Animal Mission spay/neuter program. The Benedict College percussion marching band will lead the procession. Krewes encouraged, go to mardigrascolumbia.org After the parade, stick around for the party, 12 bands, food and drink. Party tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the gate.
CONTRA DANCE: 6:15-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Arsenal Hill Park building, 1800 Lincoln St. Live music by the Hungry Monks, caller will be Marolyn Floyd. Beyond Beginners workshop, 6:15-7 p.m.; new dancers workshop, 7-7:30 p.m. No partner necessary; bring clean, soft-soled, non-marking shoes. $8. (803) 760-5881; contracola.org
PALMETTO CONCERT BAND: 8:45 p.m. Saturday at the Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. Free.
CHILI COOK-OFF, CAR AND BIKE SHOW: 1 p.m. Sunday at the Carolina Ale House, 277 Columbiana Drive. Registration, $30; proceeds benefit the Lexington County Law Enforcement Officer’s Association. (803) 429-3889 or (803) 446-7942
WORLD OF MINIATURES EXHIBIT: “Toy Soldiers and Trains — Dollhouses and Planes,” Sunday through March 4 at the Kershaw-Cornwallis House, Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, 222 Broad St., Camden. Events during the exhibit include a dollhouse swap and sell, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 25 (table rentals, $5); robotic airplane demonstration at 11 a.m. Feb. 25; and Camden Miniature Club Make and Take workshops, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 3. Participants will make a mini Easter egg basket and Easter hat. $5; seniors and miitary, $4; ages 6-15, $3. Proceeds benefit Historic Camden. Hours: 1-5 p.m. Sundays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2-7 p.m. Thursdays. (803) 432-9841; historic-camden.net
“A JOURNEY TO THE EMERALD ISLE”: 3 p.m. Sunday in New Life Chapel, the Heritage at Lowman, 2101 Dutch Fork Road, White Rock. Part of the Sundays at Lowman concert series, event will feature soprano/harpist Laury Christie and Dr. Charles Fugo; David Vaughan will be on hand with Irish stories and poetry. Free, but call (803) 451-7414 to reserve a seat.
BEGINNER WALTZ AND SHAG LESSONS: Sundays at Yellow Rock Hall, 2211 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia. No prior dance experience required, no partner necessary. Waltz lessons, 3:30-5 p.m.; shag lessons, 5-6 p.m. for six weeks. $5 per class. (803) 791-9767
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road. Free. (803) 345-0158 or email
TAI CHI FOR BEGINNERS: 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2701 Heyward St. Requested donations vary depending on category — adult, senior, student, family. (803) 647-9283; taoist.org
VETERANS APPRECIATION LUNCHEON: 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 23 at the Adult Activity Center, 7494 Parklane Road. Lunch and seminar on Aid and Attendance Benefits for veterans and/or surviving spouses, sponsored Agape Hospice and the Richland County Recreation Commission. Call (803) 754-6720, ext. 216, to reserve a spot.
HOSPITALITY TAX GRANT WORKSHOP: 5-7 p.m. Feb. 23 at Carolina Wings, 600 Gervais St. Assistance in the application process for City of Columbia Hospitality Tax grants. (803) 545-2048 or email
FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Live music with the Dance Timers. $5; BYOB and snacks. (803) 779-1971; capitalseniorcenter.com
ROSEWIND DUO: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at Union United Methodist Church, 7582 Woodrow St., Irmo. Free, but donations will be accepted for future music programs. (803) 781-3013; unionunitedmethodist.org
POOCH PIN-UP CALENDAR: Professional pet photos by Cathy Farabaugh Photography, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 25 at Pupcakes Pet Boutique, 625 Harden St., $25. Four winning portraits will be featured in the 2013 Pupcakes Pooch Pin-Up calendar. Votes are $1 and may be cast online at pupcakespetboutique.com or at the store. All proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia. Call (803) 461-0236 or (803) 254-0118 to reserve a slot.
WOMEN’S SELF-DEFENSE COURSE: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 25 at Columbia International University, 7435 Monticello Road. Free; offered by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. (803) 576-3463 or email
CHILD AND PARENT SOCCER CLINIC: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 25 at USC’s Stone Stadium, 1300 Whaley St. Event will feature four hours of instruction with the USC soccer coaches and players, lunch, Zig the Pig mascot and more. Ages 4-14; $35 per child, $25 for each additional sibling. Proceeds will benefit Children’s Chance, a nonprofit organization helping S.C. families and children affected by pediatric cancer. Advance registration at (803) 254-5996 or email
PALLADIUM SOCIETY CHILI COOK-OFF: 5-8 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Ellison Building at the State Fairgrounds. $30; Historic Columbia Foundation members, $25; Palladium Society members, $20 (includes music by Whiskey Tango Review and beer/wine tickets). Entry fee, $20 (includes free admission and guest ticket). Register at historiccolumbia.org by Monday.
CHRISTIAN FITNESS PARTY: 5 p.m. Feb. 25 at Z Factor Dance and Fitness Studio, 7201-D Parklane Road. $5. (803) 419-9133; zfactordancefitstudio.com
FREE LEGAL CLINIC: 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at Windsor United Methodist Church, 9500 Windsor Lake Blvd. Sponsored by the S.C. Bar Pro Bono Program, the topic will be wills and probate with attorney Carole H. Gunter. (803) 799-6654, ext. 158; scbar.org/clinics
SOUTHERN WRITERS SERIES: Discussion and book signing by Jason Ryan (“Jackpot: High Times, High Seas, and the Sting that Launched the War on Drugs”), 6 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Richland County Public Library, 1431 Assembly St. Sponsored by the Friends of the RCPL and the USC Institute for Southern Studies. (803) 988-0885
POTTERY BASICS: 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays, March 6-April 10 at the City of Columbia Arts Center, 1932 Calhoun St. $80, class size limited to 10 participants; registration deadline is March 1. (803) 545-3093 or email
CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY: 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, March 13-May 8 at the Lexington Police Department training facility. Qualified applicants must be age 21 or older, a resident or business owner in the town of Lexington and pass a background check conducted by the department. Call (803) 359-6260 or (803) 358-1504 to request an application.
FAMILY NIGHT AT EDVENTURE: 5-8 p.m. March 13; $1 admission to EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St. (803) 779-3100; edventure.org
By whose help do typical readers detect good christian guidance?
Most people in Australia believe in God, yet only 15% are regular attendees of church and only a small percentage of these have been born again and are living for Jesus today. Objectively, it seems to me that an advantage is not all that serious.
"American couples need all the help they can get with our economy in the dumpster, as it has been for so long now," said Jeff Ullman. The item is - is that right? That is part of the new release. This is an easy to learn guide for giving it up for it. For Christian singles, online dating has becomes one of safest portals for meeting other people. Had an initial concept before they came up with the twelve steps. For example, there is a saint for lovers, a saint for businessmen and even a saint for lost things. The Joys of Being Attired in Christian Clothing Christian clothing is about being a modest follower of your religion. WTF, but I perhaps disagree with this surprisingly persuasive feeling. Enough of the plain leather booties, as well as the snakeskin as what this new Multi-Colored Bootie by Christian Louboutin implies. That's how to develop a working outline of christian.