It's happening right here in your community
Send your events to annekathryn@sc.rr.com. Events must be received by 3 pm on Friday for the following Friday's paper.
ART Art,Art, and More Art at Mays Park will offer classes through March. Just the two of us, parent and child for ages 2- 4; Homeschool art for ages 4- 7, 8- 12, and 12 and up; and Afterschool for ages 4- 7, 8- 12, and 12 and up. Contact Steve Hewitt, 545-3100.

AUDITIONS The Árpád Darázs Singers will hold auditions for all voice parts through Feb. 17 at Ashland United Methodist Church. 926-7306.

The Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra will hold auditions for violin, cello and string bass players. Contact Sylvia Howell, 359-4929.

CHURCH/CHARITY First Presbyterian Church continues with its Wednesdays and Thursdays @ First lunch services in Jackson Hall at 1324 Marion Street. Lunch is available from 11:30 am- 12:20 pm, followed by speaker. Hot meal $6; soup and salad bar $5. 799-9062.

Hand Middle School will host a Mardi Gras fundraiser and silent auction Sat., Feb. 16, 6- 10 pm at the Coop, 1100 Key Road. 343-2947.

The Stedfast Christian Center will hold a community feeding Sat., Jan. 26, noon- 2 pm. 786-9129.

Riverbanks'5th annual March for Meals 5k will be March 1. Pre- registration runs through Feb. 15. 252-7734.

ENTERTAINMENT The 25th annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival will be Sun., Jan. 27 at Boone Hill Plantation. Gates will be open 10:30 am- 5 pm. Advance tickets are $10; $12 at the door. Contact Kathy Britzius, 843-577-4030 or www.charlestonrestaurantassociation. com.

Central Carolina Community Foundation will host the 14th annual international festival of wines and food Feb. 18 beginning at 5:30 pm at the Marriot. www.yourfoundation.org.

Columbia Classical Ballet will present LifeChance Sat., Jan. 26. Silent auction will be at 6:30 pm; the event starts at 7:30 pm at the Koger Center. 252-9112.

The Historic Columbia Society will host Back to the Apple: Big Apple Dance Weekend Feb. 8- 10. Contact Latrice Williams, 252-1770, ext. 27.

The 2nd annual whimsical silent auction & wine tasting fundraiser for the local John Bachman Group of the Sierra Club will be Fri., Feb. 29, 6:30- 10 pm at the Ensor Keenan House, 801 Wildwood Dr. Contact Susan Grey, 419- 3823.

FAMILY The Richland County Recreation Commission and Adult Activity Center will host Community Appreciation Week Jan. 26- Feb. 2. 754-7275.

HEALTH Free recovery classes for those with mental illness will be offered Thursday nights, 6 pm beginning Jan. 10. Classes will last 10 weeks. Contact Naomi for more details, 739-5712.

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

The Arrowhead Toastmaster's Club meets the first and third Tuesday of every month 7- 8 am at Shoney's, 600 Bush River Road. 781-5248.

The Richland County Republican Party meets the fourth Monday of every month, 6 pm at the Suggs & Kelly Law Center, 500 Taylor St. Contact Lou Nolan, 254-9543.

Columbia's Parks and Recreation Toastmasters Club meets at noon 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 Columbiameets every Wednesday at the Summit Club for breakfast to share sales' leads. Contact Ken Connor, 256-2354.

The Downtown Columbia Lions Club meets the first and third Mondays for lunch. Contact Lloyd Pitts, 798-8256.

Toastmasters Club meets every Friday, 7- 8:15 am at Lizard's Thickett, 10170 Two Notch. Contact Caroline Meyer, 782-8844.

MISCELLANEOUS The Shepherd's Center of Columbia at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church will hold its winter session through March 12. Classes begin at 9 am, and the cost is $21. 779-4449.

Palmetto Health Heart Hospital will host the 5th annual Be Sweet to Your Heart Cooking Contest Feb. 14. 434-2563.

MUSEUM The Columbia Museum of Art

will present Excavating Egypt:

Great Discoveries from the

Petrie Museum of Egyption

ArchaeologyJan. 27- June 8. 799-2810.

USC's Thomas Cooper

Library will showcase Pages

from the Past:A Legacy of

Medieval Books in South Carolina Collections through March 31. 777-5400.

MUSIC Columbia Harmonizers male chorus/ensemble meets Thursdays at 7:30 pm at Shandon United Methodist Church, 3407 Devine St. 798-1538.

The S.C. Philharmonic will feature David Commanday Sat., Feb. 9, 7 pm at the Koger Center. 771-7937.

REUNIONS The 1972- 1974 classes of Lower Richland will have a reunion Sat., July 26, 7- 11 pm. Contact Robin Hook Bennett, 234-4345.

SPORTS The Richland County Recreation Commissionwill hold registration for the spring adult basketball league through March 1. 732-3220.

USC will host its annual baseball and softball preview party Thurs., Jan. 31, 6- 8 pm at the Field House. 777-5400.

The Columbia Jet is holding basketball tryouts for boys 15 and under. 414-0635.

The 12th annual Friends of Scouting Tennis Classicwill be March 6- 9 at Rockbridge Club. 750-9868.

The Dentsville Youth Baseball/ Softball Leaguewill be through Feb. 3. Contact John Burnsed, 240-4468.

TRAINING/EDUCATION The Environmental Resource Center will offer HazMat Certified Training Jan. 28- 30 at the Hilton Garden Inn. 537-2372.

USC will present the lecture

series Inside the Oval Office

through March 5, 5:30- 7 pm. 777-5195. The S.C.Women's Business

Center will hold Are You Ready

to Start a Business? Jan. 30, 10 am- noon. 461-8900, ext. 232.

The S.C. State Museumwill hold a training session for prospective volunteers Feb. 4- 15, 9:30 am- noon. 898- 4912.

The Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center will sponsor a training seminar Feb. 11 for pastors and clergymen in support of returning military troops. Contact Chaplain Eddie Davis, 776-4000. VOLUNTEERS The Friends of the Richland County Public Library need individuals and businesses to sponsor a basket or donate items for the 15th annual Silent and Live Auction Sat., Feb. 16, 7 pm. 929-3440.