June 1, 2012 – June 7, 2012

Lexington County Master Gardener Volunteers: 11th Annual Garden Tour

Thursday May 31, 2012; Saturday June 2, 2012 & Sunday June 3, 2012

Lexington County Master Gardener Volunteers are proud to
feature eight intriguing gardens of the Midlands. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to view some of the most distinguished private gardens in the county. Learn about their rich history, their owner’s inspiration and the wonderful plants that reside. Explore these remarkable gardens and be transported to the gardens of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Click here for directions and brochure. Tickets may be purchased at any garden on the tour. $20

NCAA 2012 Baseball Championship: Columbia Regional @ Carolina Stadium

Friday June 1, 2012 – June 3/4, 2012

South Carolina, Clemson, Coastal Carolina and Manhattan College vie in this double-elimination regional where the winner will move on to the Charlottesville, Va., Regional in the best-of-three Super Regional on the weekend of June 8-10. It all begins here, folks! Tickets available.

Craft Bar Happy Hour: Columbia Museum of Art

Friday June 1, 2012 – Saturday June 2, 2012

Craft Bar Happy Weekend connects professional artisans and their handmade goods from across the Southeast with shoppers and crafting enthusiasts of all ages. You’ll enjoy quality crafts, local food, DJs and the opportunity to make friends and connections with the artists themselves Friday night from 6-9 and Saturday from 10-2. The Museum’s team will offer workshops, demonstrations and activities that adults to even the littlest crafters can enjoy at Saturday’s market. Visit the Art Museum website for details.

Pretty Girls: Concept Consumerism

Opening Reception Friday June 1, 2012 5pm-10pm

The second annual show will feature over 50 local artists, both male and female, and will display art consisting of individual, philosophical and/or political views on a consumerist view of feminism. The event benefits the non-profit Friends of the Tapp’s Arts Center for Youth Art programs. Pretty Girls is a mixed-media exhibition including 2-D to 3-D sculpture, interactive art, installation art, and traditional mediums. The opening reception will include a variety of performance art, music, dance and film. This collective showcases through a diversity of ideas their perceptions of consumer and feminist culture. The show will hang through the month of June, and Tapp’s will feature Pretty Girls during First Thursday on Main, Thursday, June 7. Info at Tapps Art Center website.

SC Fresh Fest: South Carolina State Farmers Market

Saturday June 2, 2012

A festival that celebrates something we all LOVE… Fresh Food and Feeling Great! The day starts off with 5K and 10K races and a Walk to Fight Diabetes. Once your blood’s pumping, check out the health fair exhibits or let Diane give you a Zumba lesson! There will be a Food Truck Round-up with free BLT’s served to the first 500 as well as other treats to enjoy and a Watermelon Eating Contest starts at 12 noon! Music all day as well as Kid’s Fun Zone. Find out more at the SC Fresh Fest website.

Call 296-CARE(2273) to register.

Women’s Health in Full Bloom

Saturday, June 2, 2012 8:30 a.m.– 1:30 p.m.
To be held at Palmetto Health Baptist, 1501 Sumter St., ground-floor auditorium. This free event will feature motivational speakers as well as lunch, music, prizes and an exercise session. Health information booths also will be available. From 8–11 a.m., those who qualify can receive a free clinical breast exam, mammogram and diabetes blood test. Women are invited to bring their husbands for free diabetes and prostate screenings. Registration is required. Call 296-CARE(2273) to register.

As American as Apple Pie…

Burgers, fries, steaks, shakes, BBQ, collards, crawfish… home cookin’ and New American gourmet… it’s all good! Check out some of Greater Columbia’s finest restaurants in ourhugerstreet.com American Restaurant directory, complete with menus!

Nature Discover Hike: Congaree National Park

Saturday June 2, 2012 9:30am

Join a park volunteer on a guided boardwalk hike to explore the forest, looking and listening for animals. Meet at the Harry Hampton Visitors Center. Free admission. For info go to theCongaree National Park’s website.

Storyfest SC: South Carolina State Museum

Saturday June 2, 2012

Join us as we kick off Summer Reading programs across the state with award winning authors Denise Fleming and Marc Brown. Storytelling provided by South Carolina’s librarians and storytellers. A day filled with family friendly events including author presentations, storytelling, a craft area, bag lunches in the Congaree room, Readers Theater and visits from ETV’s Smart Cat and USC’s own Cocky all free of charge for families as we celebrate reading and stories. Learn about how to join Summer Reading programs in your county. Meet award winning authors and experience the joy of storytelling together! Visit the SC State Library’s website for info.

Ribs & Renaissance Festival: North Columbia

Saturday June 2, 2012

North Columbia will be a blast on June 2 and not because of the summer heat. The Ribs & Renaissance Festival is back and ready to spice up your summer festival season. Just like a secret barbeque sauce recipe, the Eau Claire Community Council is blending food, fun and family entertainment to bring you an excellent community event. So bring your family and friends to Ribs & Renaissance Festival at the Eau Claire Town Center from 10 am – 8 pm. Soul Singer Dwele will be there! Details at the Ribs and Renaissance website.

Fight for Air Climb Columbia

Saturday June 2, 2012

Here’s an interesting race if there ever was one. Fight for Air Climb Columbia challenges participants to climb 25 floors of the Capitol Center Building in downtown Columbia. This is a professionally timed and ranked event with start times every 10-20 seconds, giving participants an opportunity to compete against the clock and conquer the tallest building in the city. Whether your goal is to just reach the top or be the first to cross the finish line, you walk away with a newfound respect for your lungs! All proceeds from the climb benefit the American Lung Association’s mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. For details, visit the Fight for Air website.

Volunteer! Home Works Summer Session

Sunday June 3, 2012 – Friday June 8, 2012

Lend a hand in helping to repair the homes of the needy around the Columbia area. The volunteers work on painting, cleaning up, cleaning out, roof replacement, ramp construction… whether you have an hour, a day, a week, or a year, you are needed. Learn more at the Home Works website.

Rent a bike for 1/2 off with a coupon from Discover Columbia!

Half Price with Coupon! Rent a Bike from Cycle Center and See Columbia in a Whole New Way!

If you haven’t been on a bike since grade school, and you keep thinking it would be fun to ride one again (that would be me), give it a go and rent a bicycle for a day from Cycle Center! Whole day rentals start at just $30… but if you pick up a copy of our magazine Discover Columbia, you’ll find a coupon on page 43 for HALF PRICE BICYCLE RENTALS! And if you decide you really like it, the folks at Cycle Center will put your rental dollars towards the purchase of a new bike! This is perfect weather for a bike ride!
Cycle Center
Five Points :: 1001 Harden St :: 803-256-0557
Spring Valley :: 9003 Two Notch Road :: 803-788-6992

Outdoor Concerts

Vista Block Party: Tonight Thursday May 31, 2012 5:30pm

Come back to Jillians in the Vista each Thursday this Spring for the best in Columbia’s outdoor concert scene! The series continues this Thursday with the Finesse Band. All proceeds from Vista Block Party will be donated to St. Baldrick’s, an organization that raises money for Children’s Cancer Research. Free admission and free parking! Make this event a Thursday tradition!
Additional outdoor concerts include:
Music at Sandhill begins July 4 with fabulous kick-off featuring Ronnie McDowell & fireworks, and continues til September 21!
Rhythm on the River Through June 16
Summer Concert Series at Finlay Park Through August 18

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

SAVE $3 PER TICKET! Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Super Heroes! Colonial Life Arena

Friday June 8, 2012 – Sunday June 10, 2012
Calling all super heroes! Super Grover has lost his super-ness! Never fear, the fabulous five Super Heroes are here — featuring Elmo as Captain Fuzzy! Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Zoe and all their furry friends are on a quest to put the “super” back in Super Grover. Singing and dancing their way through fun lessons on healthy habits, they discover how exercise, rest, nutritious food and good hygiene can save Super Grover — and turn your children into Super Heroes, too! You’ll be feeling good when Elmo’s Super Heroes! comes to town! Tickets available at the Lexington Medical Center Box Office inside Colonial Life Arena, 1-855-4-LMC-TIX, online at LMCtix.com and at Columbia Play it Again Sports location. Visit the Colonial Life Arenaand enter promotion code ERNIE…. and SAVE $3 PER TICKET!!!!! Discount details: excludes gold circle & sunny seats. Not valid on opening night or previously purchased tickets. Can’t be combined with any other offer.

British Designer and Instructor for 2012 Fashion Camp at USC, Louise Hudson

Last Day to Register! Today! FASHION CAMP at USC

Last Day to Register May 31! Camp Starts Monday June 4, 2012

A weeklong fashion frenzy for kids aged 10-18 held at the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sports Management, University of South Carolina. The beginner camp – June 4-8 – coincides with the first ever Columbia Style Week so the lucky campers will be modeling the clothes and accessories they make on the professional catwalk on June 7 at 7 pm at 701 Whaley Street. Level 2 – June 11-15 – is for kids who have had some experience on sewing machines and those who have graduated from Level 1. They will present their collections of clothing, jewelry and accessories to family and friends at a finale fashion show at the university. This is an opportunity for kids to explore the world of fashion, get a taste university life and learn the basics for a lifetime of designing and clothing construction. Register here or call Louise on 803 708 2772 for more details

Junior Team Tennis: Fall Registration Opens June 1!

June 1, 2012 – August 10, 2012

Do you know a young tennis player or tennis player wannabe? Lexington Area Tennis Association (LATA) is preparing for another great season of USA Junior Team Tennis! They play out of the Lexington County Tennis Complex and public facilities in Lexington County, with an emphasis on Fun, Fitness and Friends! The 2012 Fall season will begin September 21, 2012 and is open to players ages 6-17. Skill level from very beginner (QuickStart), beginner to advanced. Visit the LATA website for all the details!

Vacation Bible School: SKY — Everything is Possible with God

June 4-June 8, 8:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Shandon United Methodist Church
Children who have completed 3-year preschool – 2nd grade
At Sky VBS, kids imagine what it would be like to bounce among the clouds, soar with eagles, and reach for the stars. The Bible comes to life in new and powerful ways as kids explore why nothing is impossible with God. Through every experience, kids find that they can trust God. Start soaring now–register to be a part of this Sky VBS! Visit the Shandon United Methodist Church website for more information!

Fertility Information Seminar: Advanced Fertility & Reproductive Endocrinology Institute

Tuesday June 5, 2012 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Advanced Fertility is pleased to be achieving high success rates with many couples trying to start a family. This seminar is designed to help those couples understand the process and get their questions answered. SEE THE EXCITING NEW CENTER! The nation’s newest advanced fertility center is now open and serving patients with the latest in comfort, compassion and technological advances at Advanced Fertility. Meet Dr. Whitman-Elia. Get the latest treatment information with an opportunity to ask questions. Located at 2324 Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia next to Rush’s. Call (803) 939-1515 To Reserve Your Seat.

Save the Date!

Taste of Charlotte: Uptown Charlotte

Friday June 8, 2012 – Sunday June 10, 2012

Take the relaxing 90 minute drive to uptown Charlotte and experience the Taste of Charlotte, a sampling of the Queen City’s finest restaurants – everything from Bravo! Italiana Cucina to RiRa The Irish Pub and Restaurant (I’ve eaten there… it’s the bomb!) to Fish Market Bar & Grill to Tony Roma’s Ribs Steaks & Seafood…. sample 90 menu items from 30 outstanding restaurants, all in the friendly atmosphere of our neighbor to the north, Charlotte NC. Admission to Taste of Charlotte is free. Guests purchase Festival Coins for their food samples and beverages. Visit this page to buy your Festival Coins online or purchase them with cash at the festival. Enjoy entertainment all weekend as well as kid’s activities, a marketplace with boutique-style shopping and Tavern at the Taste, featuring your favorite beer and wines as well as live music!

Like the Columbiana Centre facebook page and be entered to win one of 3 $100 Sephora gift cards!

Sephora Set to Open: Columbiana Centre Mall

Win $100 Gift Card!

It opens June 15th! The all new Sephora opens at Columbiana Centre Mall and it’s high time …. wait til you see what this incredible make-up store has to offer! Beauty events, make-up, skin care, tanning products… if you love to be beautiful, you’ll love Sephora. Treat yourself to a whole new look… opens June 15th! Like the Columbiana facebook page and be entered to win one of 3 $100 Sephora gift cards!

Let Dad feel the love with a special dinner cruise just for him!

Father’s Day Dinner Cruise: Spirit of Lake Murray

Sunday June 17, 2012

Even if Dad’s a boater, seeing the Lake from the bow of the Spirit will provide him with a relaxing fresh view – and he won’t have to worry if the gas tank is low. Feed him comfort foods like fried chicken and pulled pork bbq, and you’ll have to pry him off the boat when the 2 & 1/2 hour cruise ends! Make a reservation at their website: Spirit of Lake Murray

RELAX: Walking Devotion Group: Shandon United Methodist Church

Wednesday Mornings at 6:45am

Join the new GAP: Graduates & Professionals Walking Devotion Group at 6:45 a.m. on Wednesdays, for a short devotion and a 30-minute walk around the beautiful Shandon neighborhood. Bring a friend, your dog, coffee, water, whatever you need to get going! And prepare to be enriched body & soul! Meet in the church courtyard outside the Dunn-Smith Ministry Center by the Biblical Garden. GAP is a group of young adults 20s-30s, single or married without kids. www.shandon-umc.org. Shandon is located at 3407 Devine Street. For more information contact Julie at jsongerbelman@shandon-umc.org.