The Craftsmen's Christmas Classic: SC State Fairgrounds!

Friday November 4 - Sunday November 6, 2011

This national-award-winning event has been a true Columbia holiday tradition for 36 years! Voted by artists and craftsmen nationwide as the #2 show of its kind in the state, the Christmas Classic is also the second largest event annually at the Fairgrounds, next only to the State Fair itself. It fills two buildings with more than 300 of the country's finest artists and craftsmen, presenting thousands of their totally original designs and creations in pottery, jewelry, fine art, glass, toys, photography, sculpture, wood, musical instruments, metalwork, furniture, clothing and much more, including specialty foods. There are choices for every style, taste and budget, from contemporary to traditional, functional to whimsical. Every holiday gift list and wish list can be fulfilled with a visit to the Craftsmen's Christmas Classic! For all the happy details, visit the Craftsmen's Christmas Classic online!

Forever Plaid Presents Plaid Tidings: Town Theatre

Friday November 4, 2011 - Saturday November 19, 2011
This show is dedicated to the “good guys”; to the guys who wheeled the projector carts for the AV club; to the guys who saved their allowance to give their parents a special night on the town for their anniversary; to the guys who carried an extra handkerchief; to the guys who never went beyond first base, and if they did, they didn’t tell anyone. We salute you! Created after 9/11 when we all needed a little joy and a little cozy holiday fun to lift spirits and with the ensuing years bringing joys and tribulations for our world, our country and our loved ones, Plaid Tidings will put you in the mood to appreciate all the good stuff that is always around us! For dates and ticket info visit the Town Theatre website.

Nancy & Friends Art Show: Art Center Studio

Friday, November 4, 2011

Nancy Pryor Grills has been nurturing the artistic talents of her art students for decades and this 8-person show features works by seven of her students as well as paintings by Nancy herself. An original watercolour by Nancy Pryor Grills will be awarded in a drawing during the Friday night reception. If you enjoy original art by local artists, if you are considering learning to paint or brushing up on your skills, or you'd enjoy chatting with artists (Kathy Gardener included - really!) please stop by for refreshments and fun! 5:00 ~ 7:00 pm. Backman Gallery in the Art Center Studio at 1932 Calhoun Street near Harden Street.

Uncorked Love Wine Tasting: Sam's Fine Wine & Spirits

Friday November 4, 2011

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Columbia, S.C., will host a new event, the Uncorked Love Wine Tasting, this Friday, November 4th at Sam’s Fine Wine and Spirits located at 5050 Sunset Boulevard in Lexington, South Carolina. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., we invite the community to join us in tasting over 30 samples of wine from around the world, enjoy dessert compliments of The Melting Pot, purchase raffle tickets to win over $200 worth of wine and take part in a small silent auction. The wines tasted will be available to attendees at a discount with a donation. A portion of all proceeds will directly benefit the families who use the services of Ronald McDonald House Charities here in Columbia. Tickets are $15.00 per person and are available at the door on November 4th or in advance by calling 803-254-0118, emailing alex@rmhcofcolumbia.org or visiting www.rmhcofcolumbia.org.

Through Fiery Trials: Religion in the Civil War | South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum

Now - May 12, 2011

Thanksgiving Day is a day we set aside to give thanks to almighty God for all He has blessed us with. What a perfect time of year to visit the Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum during their special exhibit - Through Fiery Trials: Religion in the Civil War. An estimated 3,694 Union and Confederate chaplains served during the Civil War with an estimated 150,000 Confederate conversions or baptisms during the war and a similar number of revivals on the Union side. “Through Fiery Trials” examines the experiences of chaplains, soldiers and citizens while challenging guests to assess the similarities in the role that religion played for both Northerners and Southerners during the War. The exhibit highlights Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish faiths and features rare religious objects owned by some of the most storied figures from the war. Among the exhibit’s items are bibles that belonged to generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, a crucifix carried into battle by general George Pickett of the famous Pickett’s charge, a Jewish sweet meat bowl and a soldier’s bible that was struck by a bullet and has the resulting hole through it and much more. Visit the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum's website for more information.

Grand Opening! Wags & Whiskers: EdVenture Children's Museum

Saturday November 5, 2011

Kids! Unleash your imagination and take on the role of pet owner, veterinarian or groomer in this new permanent exhibit emphasizing responsible pet care, from the choice of your family pet to the best way to care for animals. Diagnose ailments, choose the appropriate treatment for your furry friend and learn the importance of spaying and neutering. Join us for a fun-filled day featuring paws and claws arts and crafts as well as presentations from experts on topics including spaying and neutering, finding the right pet for your family and the importance of nutrition for their lifestyle. The fun begins at the 9:30am Ribbon Cutting and continues throughout the day with presentations from experts, demonstrations and training tips, cat and dog mask-making and much more! Visit the EdVenture website for details!

Midlands Job Fair: Richland Mall

Saturday, November 5, 2011

The Midlands Job Fair is returning to Columbia to connect job seekers with local employers on November 5, 2011! The event, to be held at Richland Mall, 3400 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC, is expected to draw hundreds of eager candidates, along with well-known and home-grown businesses who are actively seeking to fill open positions. At the last Midlands Job Fair in February 2011, more than 1,250 job seekers spent time talking with business representatives and owners. Doors to the November event open at 11am and close at 2pm; however, a special VIP Pass is available to those who complete a Job Fair Workshop Series at their local Midlands Workforce Center (details available at www.midlandsonestop.org). This VIP Pass will allow entry to the event at 10am. Job candidates are encouraged to research companies prior to attending, dress professionally, bring copies of their resumes, and interview with all companies for which they are qualified! Details on which employers will be attending will be made available online as the job fair approaches.

For more information, please visit www.midlandsonestop.org. Employers may contact Carrie Powell at cpowell@midlandsworks.org.

Legal Moonshine & Muscadine Wine: SC State Museum

Saturday November 5, 2011

“Everything old is new again.” So goes a famous saying, and it could certainly apply to a couple of the latest darlings of the adult beverage world: legal “moonshine” and muscadine wines. A new spin on some old favorites will be offered Saturday, Nov. 5 from 6 – 9 p.m. as the South Carolina State Museum explores the Palmetto State’s heritage of moonshining and homemade wine-making in an exciting new ticketed event for adults called “Moonshine and Muscadines.” Dark Corner Distillery of Greenville, which opened in September as the state’s first legal moonshine micro-distillery, will be on hand to offer samples of hand-spirited un-aged corn whiskey. September Oaks Vineyard of Ridgeland and Hyman Vineyards of Conway, both specializing in fine muscadine wines, will conduct tastings of their wines. Hyman will offer bottles for sale. Americana musician Angela Easterling of Greenville will offer her distinctive brand of folk and roots music throughout the evening, providing the perfect musical backdrop for a great evening of unique libations and delicious nibbles. For details, visit the SC State Museum website.

Growing Up with Carol Burnett – An Evening with Jody Hamilton: Batesburg, SC

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Come join Shannon & Lancer Shull as they host this exclusive event featuring the daughter of an icon! Jody is an Emmy® nominated producer and the daughter of comedy icon Carol Burnett and legendary producer Joe Hamilton. Enjoy intimate conversations with Jody as she shares personal stories, special videos & pictures and a special question & answer period. If you are a Carol Burnett fan, you DO NOT want to miss this event! - The show begins at 7:30pm at Southern Occasions in historic downtown Batesburg – 137 North Oak Street . Ticket price includes catered hors d’oeuvres, beer & wine and support for The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to B-L Relay for Life in honor & memory of Jody’s father, Joe Hamilton and her sister, Carrie Hamilton. For details, visit the Shull Studios website.

The March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction: Embassy Suites Hotel

Sunday November 6, 2011

This is an annual, black-tie event that pays tribute to the culinary excellence of leading local chefs, restaurant owners and caterers in the Midlands. This evening of entertainment combines a reception, gourmet sampling and silent auction with the excitement of a live auction. An elegant combination of fabulous food, great wines, good company, priceless auction packages and a great cause make the Signature Chefs Auction an event to remember!

For more information please visit the March of Dimes website.

Extraordinary Women: Palmetto Health

Tuesday November 8, 2011

Kick up your heels as you kick off the holiday season on Tuesday November 8 at a special event at the Embassy Suites Hotel... for Extraordinary Women brought to you by Palmetto Health. You'll get a fresh take on managing the decorating, cooking, shopping and family gatherings, all while keeping your cool.
Enjoy light refreshments, girl talk and a little pampering with free hand massages provided by Tranquility Day Spa. Our panel of experts will provide survival tips that put the happy back in your holidays. Gift Buying Made Easy with Anne Postic, aka "The Shop Tart"; Stress-Free Holiday? Yes, It's Possible! with Rachel Maw, RN, LPC and Guilt-Free Holiday Eating with Lisa Akly, RD. To register for this Extraordinary Women event, you must first join the Extraordinary Women membership group. Call 803-296-2273 or visit PalmettoHealth.org/ExtraordinaryWomen. If you are already an Extraordinary Women member, click to register for the event.

Trinchero Family Vineyards Wine Dinner

Tuesday November 8, 2011

Trinchero Napa Valley is an example of a business built on the American Dream. What began as a mom and pop operation in the late 1940's has grown into a preeminent California winery producing some of the world's finest luxury wines. Join our friends at Mint Julep and explore Trinchero-produced Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Port, each paired with Chef Will's gourmet creations including poached striped bass with goat cheese, seared bacon-wrapped scallop, rosemary-crusted lamb chops, and chocolate-orange Napoleon. $30 single | $50 for two. View the invitation and make reservations online here.

Bluegrass, Bidding & BBQ: Robert Mills House & Garden

Thursday November 10, 2011

Join us for The Palladium Society's 8th Annual Silent Auction. The theme this year is "Bluegrass, Bidding & BBQ" and features musical entertainment by Old Growth String Band. Bid on a variety of items, vacation packages, and shopping deals in an historic setting at the Robert Mills House & Garden. Proceeds benefit Historic Columbia Foundation. Support this annual fundraiser with an evening of fun! Visit the Palladium Society's website for details!

Deal of the Day
A Special Email Offer from The Little Gym

The Deal of the Day is sent to subscribers of The Little Gym's newsletters and one day of each week you will have an opportunity to save money at The Little Gym. It could be discounts on camps, pro-shop items, birthday parties, Parents' Survival Nights, gift certificates, etc!

The offer will only be good for that one day when the email is sent out and it is posted to Facebook. All offers will be available to members and non-members, so be sure to spread the word by forwarding our emails, sharing our Facebook posts and retweeting our Tweets!
So click here, sign up, and watch your inbox for some great incentives to take your children to one of the happiest spots in all of Greater Columbia! Forest Acres and Lexington locations.

Mini Warehouses: West Columbia

Do you need storage for personal items or for your business? I just visited a super convenient storage facility off Sunset Boulevard (US 378) between I-20 and I-26. It's on Cromer Road just a block off Sunset. The gated facility is open to tenants 24/7 and has management onsite from 8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday. 10' ceilings in all 222 units as well as electric lights and security cameras. The new owner, Rick Riley, showed me around and explained his plans for the future of this business... exciting and well-planned. If you are looking for truly convenient space at a great price, give Rick a call at 356-0634.

How do you connect with your customer, client or member in an entertaining way without the headache of having to write a monthly or quarterly newsletter? Let me customize This Week's Top Ten Things to Do with a header and footer that promote YOUR BUSINESS and email it every week to YOUR customer base, patient base, membership, employee list... And starting at just $25 per month! Please give me (Kathy Gardener) a call at 803-798-6960 ext. 13 or email me at kathy@gardenerguides.com and I will send you the details and a link to a sample customized Top Ten newsletter!

Fabulous Ongoing Events, Upcoming Events, News and Special Offers!

August Osage County: Trustus Theatre

Now Onstage!

Winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award. A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harboring shady little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after Dad disappears, their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. Mix in Violet, the drugged-up, scathingly acidic matriarch, and you've got a major new play that unflinchingly—and uproariously—exposes the dark side of the Midwestern American family. This show will leave you breathless as it unfolds before your eyes! Shows at Trustus Theatre in the Vista on Thursdays at 7:30 PM, Friday & Saturdays at 8:00 PM, and Sundays at 3:00 PM. Tickets Prices: Thursdays $20 Fridays & Saturdays $22.50 Sundays $17.50

Make Your Reservation! Tribute to Women in Industry Luncheon

Wednesday November 16, 2011

The TWIN Award is a distinguished honor presented to women whose outstanding achievements mark them as leaders and role models in business and in the community. Since the inception of the TWIN Awards in 1980, over 480 businesswomen have been honored who have made outstanding contributions to their professions and/or community. Held at the Columbia Marriott downtown. For ticket info visit the Palmetto Center for Women website.

The 44th Annual Columbia Gem & Mineral Show: Jamil Temple
Friday November 18, 2011 - Sunday November 20, 2011

This wonderful show features an enormous variety of materials from rough and cut gemstones, beads, fossils, finished jewelry, wire wrapping, lapidary supplies, and excellent mineral specimens. Dealers carry amber, jade, gold, all precious gemstones, and several jewelers can complete special orders, and much, much more. In addition, the Columbia Gem & Mineral Society will have geodes from Mexico that will be for sale at the entrance to the Jamil Temple. We will let you select and we will cut the geode for you. They may contain quartz, amethyst, smoky quartz, or calcite. We will also have a salted mine where for $1.00 a scoop, you can find crystals, fossils, rocks and minerals. You can “dig” for treasures that the Gem club provides. We can tell you where the minerals and treasures came from. Fun for rock enthusiasts, kids of all ages and those looking for unique holiday gifts. For details, visit the Columbia Gem & Mineral Society website.

The Colonial Cup: Families, Tradition, Fun
Saturday November 19, 2011

The Colonial Cup is an annual event, this year held on November 19, 2011 in Camden at the Springdale Race Course.This event is all about families, with special Infield activities like Jack Russell Terrier Races, and the very special “Saluting Our Military” celebration. Arrive Early because the Infield events start at 9:30 am and the special Pre-Race Show (Carolina Skydiving Team, Official Swearing In Ceremony of US Army recruits by the Commanding General of Ft Jackson, patriotic songs) starts at 11:00 am. We are giving away 3,000 free general admission tickets and 500 Infield Reserved Parking spaces to our military, active and reserved, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Visit the Colonial Cup webpage for detailed information.

Nature and the Grand American Vision: Masterpieces of the Hudson River School Painters: Columbia Museum of Art
November 19, 2011 - April 1, 2012

During the second quarter of the nineteenth century, a loose-knit group of artists and writers — who collectively became known as the “Hudson River School” — forged the first American landscape vision and literary voice. That vision, still widely influential today, saw the natural world as a source of spiritual renewal and an expression of an emerging national identity. It was first expressed through the majestic scenery of the Hudson River Valley. Nature and the Grand American Vision explores the evolution of the Hudson River School through four thematic sections. Within these groupings, we see how Thomas Cole and his followers visually conveyed powerful ideas and ideals about nature, culture, religion, and history to a fledging Republic, one still searching for a collective national identity. For more on this extraordinary exhibition, visit the Columbia Museum of Art website.

Carolina Ballet's THE NUTCRACKER
Save the Dates! November 25 & 27, 2011

Join us for the return of Carolina Ballet's THE NUTCRACKER to its home at THE TOWNSHIP AUDITORIUM! This enchanting seasonal fairytale, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet THE NUTCRACKER, has become a must see holiday tradition with families and audiences year after year. Selected as the BEST in Columbia. The Nutcracker features dancers, both pre-professional and professional, from all over the region including the Carolina Ballet Senior, Junior and Apprentice Ensembles, as well as Eriberto Jimenez and JImmy Moon. Putting together their magic, Mimi Worrell, Artistic Director, and Joulia Moisseeva, Ballet Mistress, as well as Eriberto Jimenez, McCree O’Kelley, Jessica Stroupe and Keith Mearns, have staged this ballet with shimmering snowflakes, waltzing flowers and an enchanted nutcracker creating a performance that leaves you believing dreams do come true! Visit the Carolina Ballet website for all information.