The Northeast Farmers Market will return for its sixth year at the Lake Carolina Town Center on Thursday, May 7. The market features fresh fruits and vegetables, free range meats, lovely flowers and plants, delicious baked goods, local honey, certified organic produce, soaps and potpourri, farm fresh eggs and cheese, and more.

Help raise money for a good cause and honor the women in your life at the same time. Peruse the silent auction and bid on great local items while sharing tea and light lunch with your mother, sisters, and girlfriends. All proceeds to benefit St. Lawrence Place which provides transitional housing and support services to homeless families with children in the Midlands. Call 256-3999 or e-mail bsmith@stlawrenceplace.org for tickets or more information.

Musical entertainment, local shops & restaurants open late. Sponsored by Town of Winnsboro Community Development & Fairfield Arts Council & Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce. Free

The Main Street Marketplace is an open-air market featuring fresh produce, baked goods, specialty gifts, art, handmade crafts, and much more every Friday beginning May 1 through June 26 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The market will be held on Boyd Plaza in front of the Columbia Museum of Art at the corner of Main and Hampton Streets in downtown Columbia. Free admission. City Center Partnership produces the Main Street Marketplace to bring more people to the area to experience everything downtown Columbia has to offer. For more information, please contact 803.779.4005 ext. 2042 or Alicia@cartertodd.com or visit www.citycentercolumbia.sc.

Palmetto Health Foundation is pleased to announce the 19th annual McDaniels Golf Classic will be held May 1 at Ft. Jackson Golf Club. A VIP reception and auction, which benefits the Palmetto Health Cancer Centers, will be held April 30 at the Palmetto Health Heart Hospital atrium. Sponsorships are available, and teams can sign up now! For more information, call 434-7275 or visit palmettohealthfoundation.org.

Call 803 635-6847 for reservations & information. Tickets $12, Senior Sun matinee only $10.

Thunder Tower's Anniversay event that is packed full of Music and entertainment for all! Including a TTH-D SpokesModel Search, Prizes and so much more! You won't want to miss it!

SC Philharmonic presents Master Series 7- Grand Finale: Heroes & Legends with Verdi (La forza del destino Overture), Philip Glass (Symphony No. 4, Heroes, mvts. II & VI) and Mahler (Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Titan). Koger Center. • 803-771-7937.

Sponsored by the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). Parents and students participate in a one mile walk around the FCHS track. Upon completion, each participant will receive a “Committed to Being Healthy” sticker. Health Vendors will provide free screenings, for blood pressure, prostate, sickle cell, dental, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, weight management, and cholesterol for parents. Entertainment by the students of Fairfield County School District. FCHS student clubs will provide games and activities for the younger students. Additional details please contact Yolande Montogmery at FCHS 635-1441..

The Rosewood Merchant Association, in partnership with Solid Entertainment and Liquid Assets, is gearing up to bring some of the infamous Creole cuisine to the Midlands on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the 4th annual Rosewood Crawfish Festival! From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., lovers of all things Creole and Cajun are invited to adorn Rosewood Drive and take part in one of the city’s favorite celebrations, featuring 5,000 pounds of fresh Louisiana grown crawfish.

Contact Virginia Lacy 803 337-3269 or Town of Ridgeway 803 337-2213. Free • Visual arts in all mediums, including painting, sculpture, jewelry/metalsmithing, theater, quilting & storytelling • Many items for sale • Items on display in local stores & shops

Celebrate Quinine Hill Park¹s recent renovations, including landscaping, picnic shelters, swings and a walking path, are cause for celebration. Not just any old ribbon cutting will do (although Forest Acres Mayor Frank Brunson will lead the ribbon cutting). In addition to a steel band and acoustic guitar acts, the Trenholm Artists Guild will host a showing of artwork by 20 of its members. A Taste of Forest Acres (sponsored by the Forest Acres Restaurant and Merchants Association) will offer samples of food from several Forest Acres restaurants. Families are encouraged to bring their picnic baskets and enjoy the spring azaleas in Quinine Hill all day. The event is free to the public. Food and beverages will be on sale from $1 to $3. This is a great way to celebrate the spring!

Backstreet Arts Market! Downtown Lancaster, S.C. Backstreet Studio, Gallery, & Garden, 217 E. Gay St., Lancaster, SC will open for Downtown Markets Saturdays May 2, July 4, Aug. 1, & Sept. 5 9am-4pm. Sculptor studio, gallery featuring works of a multitude of artists, & outdoor water/sculpture garden invites you for tours or to shop for one-of-a-kind gifts. Artists with unique handcrafted items are invited to sell. For info call 803-285-9190 or email rcdoster@comporium.net. See more at www.bobdoster.com.

General admission only $1 today

Today’s economy makes most of us nervous. More and more people are in a place of jeopardy because of economic events beyond their control. This free seminar includes presentations, followed by Break-Out Sessions:
Economic Realities and Expectations: Lewis Browning, job recruiter, management consultant, retired corporate executive Provides an overview of several of the more significant economic drivers, exploring the past twelve months and looking at the best estimate of the future in each.

The Economy’s Impact on Personal Finances: Doug Neal, CPA/President of the Neal Firm, CPA, PA What are the mortgage, credit card debt, and other financial issues confronting us today? What are our best defense strategies?

The Economy’s Impact on Employment: Lewis Browning, job recruiter, management consultant, retired corporate executive Review actions and consider alternatives that will place you in the best position to maximize your background, education, skills and successes in this new environment.

The Economy’s Impact on Personal and Spiritual Life: Ruth Ellis, LISW Relationships with family, friends, and colleagues often suffer under financial pressures. Guarding spiritual, mental, and physical health is as important as financial security.

Shandon United Methodist Church, 3407 Devine Street, www.shandon-umc.org
REGISTER: Contact Sam Apple at 256-8383, ext. 109 or sapple@shandon-umc.org.

Economic Development in Fairfield County, presented by Tiffany Harrison, Fairfield County Director of Economic Development. Contact Chamber at 803 635-4242 or fchamber02@truvista.net. Free

Contact Fairfield Central High School 803 635-1441 for information. Free.

Five After Five is making some changes! In 2009, the Five Points Association will launch the first spring/summer concert series of Five After Five. The season will begin as normal, on April 2, 2009, but will not end in May, instead it will continue through the month of June! What this means for you is 3 months in a row of live music under the stars in Five Points! Look for the schedule coming soon!

Dinner Rides: kick stands up at 6:30PM from Thunder Tower Harley-Davidson and down at 7:30PM! Ya Gotta eat so why not ride and eat with friends!

Call 803 635-6847 for reservations & information. Tickets $12, Senior Sun matinee only $10.

Come join us in the fun and celebration of the chicken and the egg! The 22nd annual festival festival includes a parade, a youth rally, street dances, fireworks display, sand art, carnival rides, volleyball & golf tournaments and much more! Batesburg-Leesville, SC. • 888-427-7273.

Military & Civilian aircraft on display, emergency & law enforcement vehicles, car show. Helicopter rides available for fee. SC Railroad Museum open for rides. Food, Arts & Crafts vendors. Contact Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce 803 635-4242 or fchamber02@truvista.net.

Sizzlin' Summer Saturdays at Avant Garde Arts Center! Avant Garde Center for the Arts, 621 Dearborn Street, Great Falls, S.C. is seeking artists & craftsmen for summer shows to be held Saturdays May 9, June 13, & July 25 from 9am-5pm. Indoor spaces $50; outdoor $40. Contact Cherry Doster at cmstevens@comporium.net or 803-287-7853. Proceeds benefit summer camps & other programs of Avant Garde Center for the Arts. www.avantgardecenterforthearts.org

Nature photography workshop includes classroom & field work led by acoomplished photographer Bill Price. Bring laptop & digital camera. 1/2 day $50; full day $100. Call 803-287-7853 or email cmstevens@comporium.net for more info.

Five After Five is making some changes! In 2009, the Five Points Association will launch the first spring/summer concert series of Five After Five. The season will begin as normal, on April 2, 2009, but will not end in May, instead it will continue through the month of June! What this means for you is 3 months in a row of live music under the stars in Five Points! Look for the schedule coming soon!

Dinner Rides: kick stands up at 6:30PM from Thunder Tower Harley-Davidson and down at 7:30PM! Ya Gotta eat so why not ride and eat with friends!

BBQ dinner fundraising event for Church of Nazarene Youth Group. Church of the Nazarene Family Life Center 650 9th St. Winnsboro. Call 803 635-4463.

He has performed side by side with stars such as Olivia Newton-John, Carly Simon, and Donny Osmond and is now returning to the Opera House stage. Newberry Opera House. • 803-276-6264.

Auditions for “Fairfield Got Funny”, 6 PM, Pine Tree Players 230 S Congress St. Winnsboro. Call 803 635-6847.

2nd Annual River Fest!

Demonstration and Discussion. Chief Curator of Natural History and herpetologist Jim Knight, with the aid of a live snake, will debunk all the myths, rumors and lies that cloud this coiling creature with his program “Snakes Alive!” 2 p.m., Auditorium. Free with general admission.

Members of the State Museum receive FREE admission to the Powers of Nature blockbuster exhibit today. Enjoy weather-related programs.

:Bring the whole family - learn to play cricket. The Family Shelter at 2411 Two Notch Rd is an emergency shelter for homeless families. It is our aim to keep the families together at their time of crisis and to get them back on their feet. $10 per adult, children free

Get on your shaggin’ shoes, and get ready for more of South Carolina’s favorite music at the State Museum! On May 16, the South Carolina State Museum is hosting a live beach music concert from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Billy Scott, Ceasar, Marissa Holiday, Clay Brown, Unisoghn and Mama’s Home Cooking will be filling the night with the sweet sounds of beach music. Food will be available for purchase and a cash bar will be open during the evening. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, For Museum members - $8 in advance for Museum members, $10 at the door. To order call (803) 898-4936 or visit the Museum admissions desk. For more information, email publicprograms@scmuseum.org.

Service OPEN House! It's More than an oil change! enjoy a garage party in Thunder Tower and get tips from the pros!

Five After Five is making some changes! In 2009, the Five Points Association will launch the first spring/summer concert series of Five After Five. The season will begin as normal, on April 2, 2009, but will not end in May, instead it will continue through the month of June! What this means for you is 3 months in a row of live music under the stars in Five Points! Look for the schedule coming soon!

Dinner Rides: kick stands up at 6:30PM from Thunder Tower Harley-Davidson and down at 7:30PM! Ya Gotta eat so why not ride and eat with friends!

Native American Keith "Little Bear" Brown will be among a group of Catawba potters to exhibit at Bob Doster's Backstreet Gallery Friday,May 22 from 5 - 8PM as part of an annual "crawl".Event features an "art draw", live music, & refreshments & "Outsider art" exhibit at Backstreet. Crawl is free. "Art Draw" tickets, available at Lancaster County Council of the Arts, are $20. At crawl,tickets verified by galleries are placed in a eligible for fine art prizes including Bob Doster artwork.

Five After Five is making some changes! In 2009, the Five Points Association will launch the first spring/summer concert series of Five After Five. The season will begin as normal, on April 2, 2009, but will not end in May, instead it will continue through the month of June! What this means for you is 3 months in a row of live music under the stars in Five Points! Look for the schedule coming soon!

Dinner Rides: kick stands up at 6:30PM from Thunder Tower Harley-Davidson and down at 7:30PM! Ya Gotta eat so why not ride and eat with friends!

Commentary: The Skipp Pearson Jazz Foundation proudly presents the 5th annual Jazz Under the Stars series offering a centennial salute celebrating the birth of the "King of Swing," Benny Goodman. Featured master jazz musicians include: Skipp Pearson, South Carolina's "Ambassador of Jazz Music,"; the world-renowned clarinetist, Pete Neighbour.

Benefit honoring Thomas Sloan McConnell. We will be selling BBQ plates, t-shirts, koozies and lots of other fun things! Not Neccesarily the Band will be playing at 4pm. All proceeds to benefit the American Red Cross!