Palmetto Health Foundation

Honor or remember loved ones this holiday season by donating to Lights for Hospice. Your gift of $30 purchases a symbolic light. For gifts of $125 or more, you will receive a keepsake ornament. Proceeds benefit Palmetto Health Hospice patients and their families. Donations can be made by visiting http://www.palmettohealthfoundation.org or by calling 803-434-7275.

Saluda River Club, Lexington

The parade of homes offers the opportunity to explore multiple brand-new, fully decorated and landscaped homes in the Midlands' newest neighborhoods. Attendees will navigate through each home, gathering the latest in new home construction techniques adn home decoration ideas. Discount tickets will be available at all Columbia area Publix Supermarkets for $6 per person. Children 12 and under are admitted for free. A portion of all tickets sold at Publix will benefit the Harvest Hope Food Bank. Tickets sold at the gate will cost $7 per person.

Dale Chihuly: Seaforms includes approximately 35 glassworks and preliminary sketches from his Seaform series – colorful, undulating shell-like forms within forms, inspired by the artist’s love of the sea. Chihuly’s Seaforms are reminiscent of sea creatures and shells, yet they are unpredictable abstract configurations with a transparency and colorful luminosity. Families of Seaforms are large vessels with smaller and smaller shapes nestled within them. The accompanying sketches give insight into the artist’s creative process, and are beautiful artworks on their own. Chihuly’s Seaforms were created over a 14-year period during the 1980s and ’90s.

This class introduces participants of all levels to the tradition of the Flemish oil painting technique. Participants learn the logical steps of the art of still life. The class addresses the choice of materials and supplies, preliminary studies, charcoal drawings, underpainting, glazing and varnishing. Participants learn how to overcome the basic challenges of painting in oil from life and rendering three-dimensions out of two-dimensions. The class will not meet on November 26. Supplies not included. $195 or $160 for members. To register, visit columbiamuseum.org, e-mail gjackson@columbiamuseum.org or call 803.343.2187.

(803)796-4505

Columbia Museum of Art

Create art, explore the galleries, and enjoy fun, interactive performances! Visit the Kids Café for great snacks and lunch options. Free.

(803)777-4274

Five Hundred reenactors and living history interpreters encamp where the British spen a harrowing year in 1780.

Columbia Museum of Art

The Baker & Baker Foundations presents a new music series - the Art of Music with De Organographia, from Oregon. This duo performs the music of ancient Greece on a wide variety of period instruments and voice. Their combination of text and song bring to life the musical art of the distant past. The repertoire of De Organographia is taken from the 61 surviving examples of ancient Greek musical notation dating between 500 B.C. and 300 A.D. The instruments, made by the performers, include lyre, kithara (larger ornate lyre), salpinx (trumpet with a dome shaped bell), trichordon (small three string lute), aulos (double reed pipe), psithyra (a type of rattle), syrinx monokalamos (recorder-like flute), kymbala (finger cymbals found at Alexandria), kroupezon (foot clapper), and tympanon (frame drum.) For more information, visit columbiamuseum.org. Free with museum admission or membership.

Featuring early jazz, the jazz that developed in the South, and especially in New Orleans, shortly after the turn of the last century and then spread throughout the world. It captures the joyous and adventurous spirit of America better than its descendants.

Toastmasters International: Palmetto Health Richland Toastmasters Club meets on the 1st & 3rd Tue of every month at 12:15 pm. Learn Public Speaking & Leadership Skills in a fun and supportive environment. At Palmetto Health Richland Hospital campus, Catawba Meeting Room, 8 Medical Park, Columbia, SC 29203. For more info, call Viji Sashikant, VP-PR, 348-9922, viji.sashikant@era.com.

Emerging artists across South Carolina submit artwork for the Columbia Museum of Art Contemporaries' Artist of the Year. A juried panel selects artists and their work to be on view and sale during the annual soirée and silent auction. Enjoy an evening of hors d’oeuvres, libations and art. All proceeds benefit the Contemporaries' Art Acquisition Fund, designed to acquire a significant piece of artwork for the Museum. $30 or free for Contemporaries members. For information call 803.343.2197.

In director John Barker’s debut feature, up-and-coming comedians Kags, Joey and Dave make clear that life in the ‘new’ Johannesburg is not just about hardship and townships. It’s also about finding humor in relationships, hanging out with friends and celebrating life on a raucous roadtrip to Oppi Koppi – South Africa’s largest music festival. Shot in cinema vérité style and using the street food ‘bunny chow’ as a metaphor for contemporary Johannesburg’s mix of races, cultures and attitudes, Barker’s edgy, urban comedy asks us to envision a nation through the eyes of its future, rather than the tragedy of its past. Free with admission or membership.

Make your reservation now for the Winnsboro Woman’s Club’s Ghosts and Legends Lantern Tour. Tours start at the Winnsboro Woman’s Club Building at 102 South Vanderhorst Street behind Winnsboro Public Safety. This is a walking tour so comfortable shoes and warm clothes are recommended if needed. Cost: $8 ages 8-12, $12 ages 13 and over For more information, call 803-635-9381 or email at lac635@truvista.net

(803)777-4274

Mezzo-soprano Chantelle Harley hosts a recital featuring works by Puccini, Wagner, Ives, Fitzgerald and Armstrong. A native of eastern South Carolina, Harley teaches voice at Allen University and has studied at the University of South Carolina and Coker College. She studied bel canto singing abroad extensively in Siena, Italy, performing numerous times by request, including at the Coronation Ceremony of the Archbishop of Italy. Her background includes major roles in Salieri’s Falstaff, Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, and Jerome Kern’s Showboat. Free courtesy BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

In a devastating car accident in 1976, a young artist loses the use of one eye. In the years that follow, Dale Chihuly’s talent for leading a team flourishes as he orchestrates glassblowing of a complexity previously unthinkable. His 2001 retrospective exhibition at the venerable Victoria and Albert Museum marks his triumphant return to London after years of study and development. Free courtesy BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

(Lots of hands-on activities and fantastic fun!

Two-time All Arena Defensive Lineman Henry Taylor of the New York Dragons has scheduled his 1st Annual Pro Football Combine for Arena Football Players on Saturday, November 8th, 2008 with registration beginning at 7:30 am. The event will be held at PLEX Indoor Sports in Columbia, South Carolina. For more information please email TAYLORHENRY@HOTMAIL.COM or EGORDON@TF4Y.COM.

St. David's Episcopal Church, 605 Polo Rd., Northeast Columbia

David Episcopal Church invites current and former service men and women to join the congregation in a special service dedicated to veterans. The church's regular Sunday service will incorporate a recognition of those who have served in all branches of the military and the national guard. They may wear military uniform or civilian attire and should identify themselves as visitors to the ushers or greeters in the sanctuary lobby. "We are located very close to Fort Jackson and over the years have had church members from Fort Jackson, Shaw Air Force Base and the McIntire South Carolina Air National Guard Base, as well as a lot of retired military men and women," said Fr. Robert Chiles, rector. "We look forward to honoring their service to our country during this special worship. For more information, call 736-0866 or visit www.stdavidscolumbia.org.

Active duty and retired military personnel with a military ID card receive free admission in honor of Veterans Day. 

Join other art lovers for refreshments, lively discussion, and a tour of selected galleries. Chief curator and curator of European art, Todd Herman discusses the five paintings on loan from the Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico. The Ponce museum is recognized as one of the most important museums housing European collections of art in Latin America and like the Columbia Museum of Art, was the recipient of a generous donation of Renaissance and Baroque works from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. Free with admission or membership.

As a tribute to the new millennium, Dale Chihuly led a team of Americans, Israelis and Palestinians in mounting 16 largescale installations in Jerusalem’s ancient Tower of David. The exhibition draws over one million visitors, and its amazing success prompts Chihuly to return to Jerusalem with 64 tons of Alaskan ice to create the symbolic Wall of Ice. Free with admission or membership.

South Carolina artisans showcase their latest work for sale at the Museum Shop. Handmade crafts include jewelry, ceramics, textiles, pine needle baskets, scarves, gourd birdhouses and ornaments. Complimentary gift-wrapping and refreshments will be available. Museum members receive an additional 5 percent off their regular Museum Shop discounts during the event. Memberships can be purchased online at columbiamuseum.org. Free admission to the Artisans’ Fair. Regular admission applies for entry in Museum galleries. For more information, call the Museum Shop at 803.343.2159.

In this two-day workshop students are introduced to the intaglio process of drypoint used by Durer, Rembrandt, Cassat and others. Students learn various mark making strategies by drawing an image on a small copper plate with an etching needle, and then make a small edition of prints, learning how to print a consistent image. No prior printmaking experience is necessary. Supplies included. $180 or $145 members. For more information or to register, visit columbiamuseum.org.

Passport to Art Saturdays is a free monthly open studio program for families featuring creative hands-on art projects.

Embassy Suites Hotel

This conference is open to primary care physicians, ophthalmologists, and health care professionals who are interested in treating basic ophthalmic conditions. To request a brochure or register for the course, please contact the Office of Continuing Medical Education and Faculty Development at 803-434-4211

Steve Harvey is back and Still Trippin’! The critically acclaimed comedian, actor, and radio personality makes his return to The Township Auditorium! Steve has succeeded in film, television, and radio. Now he returns to his standup roots with another national tour guaranteed to put you in a good mood.

The event will feature crafts and foods, all handmade by church members and friends. It also will include a used book sale, a coffee shop, breakfast and lunch. A drawing will be held for a queen-sized handmade quilt and quilt rack as well as for a butterfly table, also crafted by church members. Established 25 years ago, St. David's is committed to seeking and serving Jesus Christ and inviting all to share God's love. Services are held at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. every Sunday, with children's special worship at 9:15 a.m. on the first Sunday of the month during the academic year and every Sunday during the summer. Worship is conducted by Rev. Robert Chiles, with music provided by the St. David's choir accompanied by piano or the church's 100-year-old pipe organ. Episcopalians worship in a sacramental tradition that balances and emphasizes both holy scripture and tradition, and focuses on a mystical encounter with the presence of God through the communion gifts of bread and wine. St. David's includes groups for youth, young adults, senior adults, and other special interests. For more information, call 736-0866 or visit www.stdavidscolumbia.org..

Steeplechase Horse racing's premier event draws over 15,000 fans and horsemen from along the Eastern Seaboard

Toastmasters International: Palmetto Health Richland Toastmasters Club meets on the 1st & 3rd Tue of every month at 12:15 pm. Learn Public Speaking & Leadership Skills in a fun and supportive environment. At Palmetto Health Richland Hospital campus, Catawba Meeting Room, 8 Medical Park, Columbia, SC 29203. For more info, call Viji Sashikant, VP-PR, 348-9922, viji.sashikant@era.com.

Sponsored by the International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 105 of Columbia, S.C. Free Admission - Donations will be accepted for the S.C. Autism Society Eight Great Acts Present a Family Friendly Evening of Entertainment for your enjoyment and for the Benefit of a Worthy Charity. Inquiries/Questions...787-4028 or 779-0030

Within the secretive world of Venetian glassmaking, Dale Chihuly sees an opportunity to create exquisite work - if only he can get the two greatest glass masters to work together. Watch as Chihuly works first individually, and then together, with Lino Tagliapietra and Pino Signoretto for a series of historic glassblowing sessions. Free courtesy BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

Ciao! The delights of all things Italian will be offered to the public Saturday, Nov. 22 as the South Carolina State Museum celebrates its new blockbuster exhibit Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion with an Italian Street Fair. Learn the game of bocce, taste samples of delicious Italian food, enjoy Italian music and performances of the tarantella and then end the day with a sip of smooth Italian wine. Experience Italian life during the Middle Ages and Renaissance as the Society for Creative Anachronisms recreates traditional customs and hobbies from that time period. Held on the Museum grounds, the festivities will begin at 10 a.m. and end with the wine tasting from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information call (803) 898-4921 or visit www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org.

An evening of music, food and fun for everyone. Door Prizes, free Shag dancing lessons, auctions, cash bar and more! A great way to have fun and listen to many different genres of music and all the proceeds go to the Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital to benefit the children. Live Performances by: The Progression Pinna J Hall Special $20 advance $25 at the door $15 for USC students For tickets go to: Russell House Information Desk 1400 Greene St. Columbia, SC or call Taylor Ryan (908) 675-0777 and Julie Stas (724)816-3676

The Columbia Gem and Mineral Society presents its annual show at the South Carolina State Museum on November 28th-30th. Featuring 26 retail vendors offering beautiful jewelry, unique beads, loose stones, fossils, minerals, gold, silver and tools for sale. Watch the fine art of faceting beautiful jewels and see the secrets held inside geodes. Pick up a grab bag filled with fabulous surprises or mine for hidden treasure. There's something for everyone at the Columbia Gem and Mineral show! Admission for the event is included with museum admission. Admission for the event is included with museum admission for adults ($5) and Seniors and Military ($4). Children 12 and under are free for both the museum and mineral show. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 12 – 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information call (803) 736-9317 or visit www.cgams.org.

This special event heralds the official start of South Carolina's Yuletide season with the lighting of the state's Christmas tree. Choirs and music groups from throughout the state perform.