Councilman’s annual update, free movie showing among upcoming county events

Several community events are taking place in the coming weeks, including a Councilman’s annual public address and an African American History Month celebration. For a list of all upcoming Richland County happenings, visit www.rcgov.us and scroll through the “Events” section.

• The State of the County to District 11, 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, Garners Ferry Adult Activity Center, 8620 Garners Ferry Road, Hopkins. Richland County Councilman Norman Jackson will address his constituents during his annual update focused on District 11. He will reflect on 2016 and give his perspective on the opportunities and challenges he anticipates 2017 will bring for Richland County and District 11. For more information, contact the Clerk of Council at [email protected] or 803-576-2060.
• Free showing of “Rosenwald” film, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College, 7300 College St., Irmo. Richland County Council Chair Joyce Dickerson, District 2, invites the public to attend a free showing of “Rosenwald,” a documentary that follows the remarkable relationship between Jewish businessman Julius Rosenwald and historic educator Booker T. Washington and their success in building schools for African American children throughout the Southeast, some of which existed in Richland County. Richland County Government, Richland County Conservation Commission and the Jewish Federation of Columbia are sponsors of the event.

• Pine Grove Rosenwald School African American Celebration, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, Pine Grove Community Center, 937 Piney Woods Road, Columbia. Richland County and the Richland County Recreation Commission are two of the many sponsors of an upcoming family day at the historic Pine Grove Rosenwald School. Attendees can walk through the original school building and enjoy a dramatization presented by students from Richland School District One. Food, music, games and other entertainment are all part of this event that celebrates the history of Richland County’s last standing Rosenwald school. For more information, call the Pine Grove Community Center at 803-213-1296.

• Richland 101, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Mondays and Thursday, March 9-April 10 at various locations. Residents are invited to participate in the 2017 edition of Richland 101, a free, annual course that teaches residents the basics of Richland County Government. This year’s classes will take place at a variety of facilities, such as the new Coroner’s Office, the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, the Emergency Operations Center and the Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport. Speakers include elected officials and representatives from different County departments. A special graduation ceremony will be held for participants at the Columbia Museum of Art, one of the many local institutions funded by Richland County. Class size is limited. For more information and to register, visit www.rcgov.us/Residents/Richland101.