Calendar

BOOKS

The Richland County Public Library and the Colonial Center are hosting It's a Slam Dunk!, a reading contest that encourages teens to get active at the library from Sept. 1-Oct. 17. The program rewards teens ages 13-19 for reading with the chance to win four tickets to the NBA preseason showdown between the Indiana Pacers and the Charlotte Bobcats. 929-3434.

The Richland County Public Library will host the Art of Recovery, a mixed media exhibit sponsored by the S.C. Department of Mental Health, through Nov. 1 in the Wachovia Gallery of the Main Library, 1431 Assembly St. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

CHURCH/CHARITY

First Presbyterian Church , 1324 Marion St., will host its Wednesdays at Noon lunch service series in Jackson Hall. Lunch begins at 11:45 am, followed by a speaker from 12:25-12:50 pm. A hot meal is $5; soup/salad bar is $4. 799-9062, ext. 261.

Running For Austin , a marathon benefiting an 8-year-old with autism and cerebral palsy who needs help with medical bills will be October 29 in Washington, DC. Contact Bill Rogers, 606-5526 or www.RunningForAustin.com.

The Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center , 306 Flora Dr., will host many upcoming events for the community. For a schedule, call 787-2023, or visit www.jewishcolumbia.org.

First Presbyterian Church , 1324 Marion St., will continue its Wednesdays at Noon lunch service series this week in Jackson Hall. Lunch begins at 11:45 a.m., followed by a speaker from 12:25-12:50 p.m. A hot meal is $5; soup/salad bar is $4. This service will be held on Thursdays at the same time beginning Thurs., Sept. 21. Contact Barbara C. Shealy, 799-9062, ext. 261.

The S.C. Chapter of the Church and Synagogue Library Association (CSLA) will sponsor a workshop on library automation systems and library promotion Sat., September 30 from 1:30-5:30 pm at Davis College on USC's campus. Both members and non-members are invited. Contact Sarah Brown, 256-1654.

FAMILY

The City of Columbia will hold open enrollment for the fall Learn-to-Swim program at the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center. There will be five (two week) sessions consisting of eight classes for children and adult. The cost is $15 for members and $30 for non-members. 545-3200.

HEALTH

Life Line Screening will give screenings to reduce the risk of having a stroke Sept. 23 at 9 am at St. Andrews Baptist Church, 230 Bush River Road. Pre-registration is required. 1-800-449-2281

MEETINGS

Horrell Hill Family and Community Leaders Club meets the first Thursday of each month at 10:30 am. Contact Alice Williams, 776-7888, for the next meeting location.

Columbia's Parks and Recreation Toastmasters Club meets at noon on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at The Charles R. Drew Wellness Center, 2102 Walker Solomon Way. Contact Larry S. Thompson, 545-3095.

The Business Association of Columbia , meets every Wednesday at the Summit Club for breakfast to share sales leads. Contact Ken Connor, 2562354.

The Kiwanis Club of Richland meets the 1st & 3rd Mondays of each month at the Lizard's Thicket on Beltline. Call Ken Connor, 256-2354.

The Trenholm Artists Guild meets the second Monday of every month at 7 pm at the Forest Lake Recreation Center, 6820 Wedgefield Rd. Contact Mary Williams, 356-0381 or www.trenholmartistsguild.org.

MUSEUMS

EdVenture Museum will host EdVenture's Day of Play, Sept. 30 from 9 am-5 p.m. 779-3100 or www.edventure.org.

The S.C. State Museum will present the exhibit, NAPOLON An Intimate Portrait, free of charge on Sept. 23 during a special day for members. 898-4937

The S.C. State Museum will allow guests who present the Smithsonian card upon entering to receive free general admission for themselves and one guest on Sat., Sept. 30. 898-4937

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT

The Korean Festival will be October 8, 2006, at the Korean Community Presbyterian Church, 1412 Richland Street, from 4-8 pm.

Columbia Harmonizers male chorus/ensemble meets Thursdays, 7:30 pm at Shandon United Methodist Church, 3407 Devine St. Call Joe Solito, 783-8475.

City Center Partnership's Fall 2006 Main Street Marketplace will be every Friday through Nov. 3, and a holiday market on Fri., Dec. 1 from 10 am- 2 pm. Vendors and entertainment will be at the new First Citizens Plaza, 1230 Main St. Contact Alicia Morgan, 779-4005, ext. 2042 or alicia@cartertodd.com.

White Horse Equestrian Ministries will host the 2nd Annual Statewide Trail Ride, Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, in Fairfax, SC. To register visit www.lakeviewplantation.com.

Columbia Children's Theatre will present Hercules Saves the World! which runs Sept. 22-Oct. 1 at the Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center, 2611 Grant St. Tickets are $6 at the door. 691-4548 or www.ColumbiaChildrensTheatre.com.

USC will present the former prime minister of Poland to discuss his country's role in the new Europe Tues., Sept. 26 at 7 pm in the Gambrell Hall auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public. 777-5400.

USC will present Russell Malone and Benny Green who will perform a jazz concert on Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the School of Music recital hall. 777-5400.

The Nickelodeon Theatre , 937 Main St., will present the 6th Annual Latin American Film Festival, September 28-October 5. 254-8234 or www.nickelodeon.org.

The Richland County Public Library will host Teen Idol , a vocal competition just for teens! The show, complete with a variety of prizes, studio time, and the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at a USC basketball game, will be held at 6:30 pm on Thursday, Oct. 26 in the Bostick Auditorium of the Richland County Public Library, 1431 Assembly St. Auditions will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 30 at the Main Library. 929-3434 or www.richland.lib.sc.us/teen.

The 11th Annual Fire Fest at Rhame Arena and Legion Field in Camden will be Sat., September 30 at 10 a.m. Contact the Camden Fire Department, 425-6040.

The Capital Senior Center , 1650 Park Circle, will host A Saturday Night Jubilee, featuring the Jeff Crider band on Sat., Sept. 23 from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $6 per person. Beer, wine and hot dogs will be available. Contact Vanessa, 779-1971.

SCHOOLS

The S.C. Arts Commission, The National Endowment of the Arts and the Poetry Foundation will present Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest to high schools throughout S.C. during the 2006-07 school year. Participating schools will receive required materials, optional lesson plans and access to online resources. High schools can participate by contacting Theresa Wallace, 734-8639 or twallace@arts.state.sc.us by Sept. 29.

TRAINING/EDUCATION

The Lexington Police Department is currently seeking applicants for the Citizen's Police Academy. The academy will run for ten weeks starting Sept. 14 through Nov. 16 Thursday nights from 7 pm-9 pm. Contact Officer Jason Harbaugh, 359-6260 or 358-1504.

The SC Wildlife Federation (SCWF) will sponsor the 14th Annual Women's Outdoor Recreation Retreat, Oct. 6-8. The registration fee is $75 and includes all equipment and supplies. The deadline to register is September 25. 256-0670 or www.scwf.org.

The Alliance for Women will host the workshop Empowering Girls: Realities, Perceptions, and Choices, Sept. 29 from 9 am-4 pm at the Breed Leadership Center at The Columbia College Campus. www.allianceforwomen.net

Glenn Cohen , a licensed relationship coach, will present a free relationship seminar and book signing Tues., Sept. 26 from 6-8 pm at the Columbia Marriott, 1200 Hampton St. Free and open to the public. 771-7000, RSVP at www.glenncohen.org.

The SC Chapter of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (SCNABCJ ) will hold a law enforcement career fair Thurs., Sept. 21 at 6 pm at the New Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1236 Gregg St. Contact Andrea Massie, 765-5695.

Midlands Technical College Continuing Education will offer Managing A Multi-Generational Workforce seminar Sept. 27 from 9 am-4:30 pm at the Harbison Campus. The cost is $110. To register call, 732-0432 or www.mtctraining.com.

Columbia College and the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice will present a symposium highlighting the needs of girls, Fri., Sept. 29 from 9 am-4 pm at the Breed Leadership Center, Columbia College. Contact Loretta S. Neal, 896-9518.

TRAVEL

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary is offering the course, Cultures, Religions, and Christian Denominations in the Holy Land , a study tour of Israel ($2,298 from Columbia), this Jan. 8-22 with the option of a Sinai extension ($498, Jan 8-28). Contact Dr. Monte Luker for details, 787-0864 or LLuker@mac.com. Participation is limited so immediate registration is recommended.