Save Summer: No Kid Hungry

Only 1 in 7 children who rely on subsidized school lunches are reached through federal summer feeding programs. Those kids not reached are most likely skipping meals, or at the very least sharing food with siblings and eating food that is not nutritious enough for growing bodies.

 

You've most likely heard of my passion for Columbia, SC non-profit St. Lawrence Place before. {Full disclosure, I still work part-time for the agency, and blog for them here.} SLP provides support services, life skills, and transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness. An integral part of the services provided is the after-school and full-day summer program provided for children living at SLP and Family Shelter, the local emergency shelter.

The 10-week summer program serves breakfast and lunch, as well as two snacks a day for up to 35 children. These children otherwise may not have a nutritious meal each day during the summer. SLP is able to provide nutritious, homemade lunches each day through the kindness and generosity of volunteers and donors.

If you live in Columbia, SC, you can help feed these kids! You can send a donation to purchase food, you can prepare a meal off-site and deliver it on your designated day, or you can prepare a meal on-site at SLP. Check out this blog post for details.  Jones and I will be providing lunch for two days in July, and I am excited to teach him about the value of helping others.

Help No Kid Hungry: as Congress considers the reauthorization of Child Nutrition programs this year, we have the opportunity to improve the summer meals program so it helps low-income kids no matter where they live. Send a letter to Congress here, or you can sign up for our Summer Action Day on June 22nd!

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Acquiring Art on a Budget

Let me start with this disclaimer: I am in no way an artist, art expert, or art critic, nor do I have a degree in art.  All I can claim is that I appreciate art, and I enjoy acquiring pieces of original art for my home.  And I do not have a large budget for this hobby, but I have acquired some pretty great pieces over the years.

My first tip is to purchase a piece that speaks to you.  Purchase a piece if you cannot stop thinking about it. If you can't help but think about that painting as you pass by that spot on your wall where it will surely hang if you ever purchase it, then buy it. I am currently coveting a gorgeous painting by local artist Whitney LeJeune--stay tuned for  Fig Columbia blog post about that one as soon as it's mine!

This poster was designed for the recent Avett Brothers concert in Columbia by local design studio & print shop, The Half and Half.  I went to the show, but also couldn't take my eyes off of this poster when I first saw it, so I tracked one down.

This piece I purchased at the annual St. Lawrence Place Angels Tea & Silent Auction a few years ago. Tip number 2 for acquiring art on a budget: scope out silent auctions! So many local artists generously donate their pieces to nonprofits for auctions.  I have scored many a beautiful piece this way, and the proceeds go to charity, so win-win!  The mixed-media painting is by local artist Page Morris.

My husband scored this Hollis Brown Thornton print at the Harmony School Oyster Roast & Silent Auction last year.  He actually got into a bidding war with another gentleman for a lot of 5 prints, but we prevailed.

This piece, whose artist I don't know (!?), I actually purchased from a gym I used to attend. The lobby had local artists' work on display and for sale. I saw this cool collage for weeks and decided to make it my own. And there's tip number 3 for purchasing art on a budget: check out your favorite restaurants, bars, local stores, and even gyms for local artists' displays! You can find cool art anywhere.

And finally, to prove my point that cool (and affordable) art is everywhere: a portrait of "Mommy" by my 4 year old son, Jones.

The likeness is uncanny, I assure you.

And there you have it- a tour of some of my favorite art, acquired on a budget and with love. The Columbia art scene is burgeoning with talent; go find some for your home!

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Columbia Open Studios- You Should Go

preview party art

James and I went to last  night's Columbia Open Studios Preview Party.  I fell in love with a couple things that I cannot afford. 

We have Birdie's 1st birthday party and a play to attend this weekend, so not sure how much time we'll have to actually see some of the open studios, but here's my priority list if we can work it in:

Studio Carlisle: this one gives you a ton of bang for your buck.  Five artists' works are housed here; I actually own a painting by Page Morris, see below.  She, plus Julia Moore and Kevin Smith are generous donors to the St. Lawrence Place Angels Tea silent auction, so patronize them if you can!  All of their work is gorgeous.

Page Morris collage/painting

One Eared Cow Glass: I have not been here in ages, and I think Jones would love seeing the craftsman at work.  They have some really affordable art pieces for sale every day; unique gift ideas!  Maybe I'll look for a Mother's Day gift...

Nora Floyd & Ruth Bayard of A Checkered Past: My mother has been a long-time fan of the jewelry these ladies create, often from re-purposed vintage items. 

mom's necklaces from A Checkered Past

Viridian Gallery & Studio: Another spot where you can see four or more featured artists' works, including long-time St. Lawrence Place supporter, Nini Ward.  She is an extremely generous woman and talented artist.

Which ever artists' studio into which you may venture, you're sure to glimpse some of the amazing talent that Columbia has to offer.  Print off a guide with maps here, or grab this week's Free Times.  Go, enjoy!

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What's Better Than Drinking On a Weeknight for a Good Cause?

Not much, am I right?  St. Lawrence Place, (the amazing non-profit for which I have worked for going on 8 years), is hosting a fun, holiday-themed fundraiser on Wednesday, December 4th from 6-8 PM: Sip for St. Lawrence Place.

There will be 3 wines to taste, mucho hors d'oeuvres to be eaten, (some by Southern Way Catering!), and some cool local vendors and artists selling their wares--all to support the families experiencing homelessness who are living at SLP.  AND, the tickets are only $20 each.  Win, win, win, win, win!  And, every attendee will be entered to win the door prize, a $25 gift certificate to Cellar on Greene.

Vendors include C & S Gifts, a local duo (sisters, Cindy & Sarah) who sell perfect gifts for any occasion--hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, and holiday decor.  

Reaves Woodworks (a husband-wife duo, Larry and Mary) will be selling beautifully-handcrafted cheese boards, cutting boards, and wine balancers, as well as one of a kind recycled wood jewelry.

cheese board photo via here

And Dolly Patton of Knitwits will be selling her signature ruffle scarves.

ruffle scarf by Knitwits

 
And when you buy an item from one of these vendors, you're not only supporting a local business, but they are going to give a portion of their proceeds to SLP, so you're also supporting a local non-profit!

So, I think you should come.  It's at my sister's gorgeous home in Columbia, the wine will be flowing, there might be a fire roaring, (as long as it's actually cold on December 4th--we do live in Columbia, so one never knows), and I'll be there, so introduce yourself if we've never met!

You can buy tickets online here, or by calling 256.3999.

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Don't We All Deserve A Place at the Table?

One of my favorite spots in Columbia, one of our city's gems, I think, is The Nickelodeon Theater.  Before I had children, (when my nights were a seemingly endless barrage of opportunities to go out and experience the city), my girlfriends and I went to see at least a movie a  month, sometimes more, at The Nick. 

image via here

Fast forward a few years; we all now have children, and getting a babysitter is reserved to 1-2 nights a month.  Jaunts to The Nick aren't nearly as regular.  However, they showed A Place at the Table this past Monday, and I told my social work students that I'd give them extra credit to attend this poignant documentary film.  And in doing so, I got to go to The Nick on a weeknight.  And I got to see this raw and smart and provocative film about hunger in America.  (Side note: The film's soundtrack features The Civil Wars, who are amazing.  I blogged about them here.)

The problem is getting worse, not better.  And, you know that obesity problem that our country has, well it's inextricably tied to our hunger problem.  And our factory farm problem.  And the problem we have in our country of taking care of big corporations as if they are people, and caring not for the people themselves.

No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, having 1 out of 2 children in our country experiencing hunger is good for no one.  Hunger affects a child's brain development and health and learning capability...and that affects everyone's future.

Next week is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.  Please do something to help the kids and families experiencing hunger and homelessness.  Watch this film.  Call, e-mail, or tweet your representative and let them know that you don't want them to cut food stamps (SNAP).  Do something locally to help combat these problems. 

A quote I posted on the blog I write for St. Lawrence Place a few weeks ago puts words to this issue as succinctly as I can imagine: "The future which we hold in trust for our own children will be shaped by our fairness to other people's children,"  Marian Wright Edelman.

Hunger is a social justice issue.  Do something.

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Anticipating Saturday

Do you have plans for Saturday yet? If you live in Columbia and you said no to that, then you'd better start planning-there is so much to do! And the Fall weather that crept in last night will make a perfect backdrop for anything you choose!

Here's what the Hill family has planned:
Wesley Memorial UMC Neighborhood Fall Festival begins at 11 AM. FREE to attend and there will be live music by the Blue Iguanas Bluegrass Band, who are not only good, but very generous (they play the St. Lawrence Place Oyster Roast fundraiser every year at a very reasonable price).  There is also bouncy houses, a pumpkin patch, a fire truck, BBQ, and more!  We will be picking out our family pumpkin with Jones.  My sister, mom, and I took my nephew Ben to this a couple years ago and it was fun.

image via here

Next, we hope to attend the first-ever Carolina Green Fair in Finlay Park.  The event is going to be huge!  Live entertainment, local vendors and exhibitors, all showing easy ways for you and your family to make more sustainable choices.  The Free Times has an awesome publication detailing the entertainment, exhibitors, and containing a map of the event.  We hope to hear Lunch Money, a fun local children's band that will go on stage at 3:15.  We'll also make sure to stop by and see our friends from KD's Treehouse, and maybe catch The Blue Dogs at 2:30 too.
Admission is $5, or free if you bring 4 incandescent light bulbs to recycle.

Saturday night the hubs and I will be venturing out all by ourselves for dinner to celebrate his birthday, (which is today--happy birthday, James!)  He has not made up his mind on where we're going yet, but the ideas I've heard so far include Hunter Gatherer and Motor Supply; I'll let you know where we end up!  Afterward, we're meeting some friends at our favorite "Peach Pit After Dark-esque" spot: NiteCaps.  Here's to an adult night out!  (The babe is spending the night at my parents' house).

image of Motor Supply via here

image of Hunter Gatherer via here

The Nickelodeon is showing some pretty crazy stuff this weekend, and the SC State Fair is here through Sunday too. 
So, for real, plan your weekend already! 
XO, B

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Attention Creative Geniuses

So, I admit, occasionally on this blog I have mentioned that I work for a small non-profit called St. Lawrence Place (SLP). Heck, I may have even shamelessly promoted one or two of our special events in the past...but this time, it's not shameless, I promise! This is really cool, y'all!  And you can get a really cool prize if you help us out!

Just a reminder--SLP provides support services, life skills, and transitional housing for homeless families with children in Columbia, SC.

We are looking to re-brand, and as a first step, we are in search of a new logo!  You can see the details on our website here.

The prize package includes:

image via here

• Dinner for 8 at your home from Pawley's Front Porch Food Truck!  (have you eaten from the Pawley's Food Truck before--it is amazing!)  I had a BLT a couple Saturdays ago and it was heaven...Fried Green Tomatoes, Pimento Cheese, lots of bacon...mmmm.
• Spirits and soft beverages to accompany dinner.
• Serving pieces painted by teens and kids living at St. Lawrence Place, compliments of Mad Platter.  Mad Platter is awesome--they help SLP with numerous fundraisers and events for the kids throughout the year--much love.
• Community-wide recognition, as SLP re-brands using your new artwork as our logo!!  You'll be famous!

So, are you interested?!  Know someone who would be great at this? Please pass it along.  Submissions due October 7th.  See details here.

And, now, I'm hungry...Pawley's Food Truck will be at the All Local Farmer's Market tomorrow morning...I think I'm gonna try the Mahi Mahi Tacos this time...

Happy Friday!
XO, B

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Weekend Round-Up

There are plenty of fun things to do in Columbia this weekend!  I will be attending my nephew, Ben's, 4th birthday party on Saturday, and Sunday I hope to make it to the Columbia Museum of Art with baby and hubs.

Ben's birthday party is being held at Woodland Park, a really nice, shady park in our neighborhood.  My sister has asked that instead of gifts for Ben, guests bring art supplies to donate to the kids in the after-school program at St. Lawrence Place.  What an awesome thing to do, don't you think?  Ben will get plenty of gifts from family members, so he won't miss out on presents, I assure you-- and what an amazing and easy way to teach kids about giving back to those less fortunate! 

image via here

Speaking of talking to your kids about helping others, Central Carolina Community Foundation has introduced an initiative to do just that: help you Talk About Giving with your children.  There is a game you can purchase and play with your kids, and right now they are giving away a $2,000 award to a local non-profit.  (By the way, St. Lawrence Place would appreciate your vote if you have a quick minute!)

The Columbia Museum of Art is currently exhibiting Rembrandt: From Sacred to Profane.

image via here

And have you heard about their new monthly event: Craft. Bar. Happy. Hour?!  You bring your own craft project to the museum and enjoy snacks, adult beverages, good conversation and inspiration.  Craft kits are available for purchase, and a different local artist/crafter will be on hand each month to display his/her work.  Cost is $20.  This month's event is Tuesday, July 26th at 6:00 PM and the artist is Sally Peek of Nana Bags.  (Her bags are sooo chic!)

image via here

 Also, if I can swing it before the birthday party, we may head to Baan Sawan for the Bone-In Artisan BBQ Truck's  Baan-In Boozy Saturday Brunch!  Thai Bloody Mary's and Sriracha pulled BBQ pork-stuffed French toast.  Sounds awesome, right?
Follow the BBQ Truck on Twitter here so you always know where they are!

What else is going on in your life and town this weekend?
Happy Friday, loves!

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And the Weekend Starts Now

My picks of fun events happening in Columbia this weekend...

Thursday, February 18th:

image via here

-Opening of Josh Drews' exhibit at Art + Cayce. Drews is local a printmaker and art teacher, and the exhibit will feature monotypes, a specific type of print. The gallery will be open tonight from 6-8, with Drews answering questions about his art at 7 pm. The exhibit will be up through March 18th. Click here to read Judit Trunkos of the City Paper's review of the exhibit.

-WineStyles California Wine Tasting and Art Show with Karen Peru Campbell; $5, refunded with any purchase from the tasting line-up. This event is from 5-8 pm. (Karen also happens to be the wife of Fulton Campbell, my Hampton Hills Biggest Loser trainer!)

Friday, February 19th:
-Opening of 2 solo shows at Gallery 80808: Laura Spong's "Renovations" and Anna Redwine's "Frauenau." For a PREVIEW of Ms. Spong's art, click here. For a PREVIEW of Ms. Redwine's art click here.

image via here

-The Blue Iguanas Bluegrass Band will perform at Utopia Food & Spirits from 8-11 pm. I have personally never heard the Blue Iguanas, but they will be playing at St. Lawrence Place's Oyster Roast fundraiser in 2 weeks, so I'm anxious to hear them. (Formerly the High Lonesome Bluegrass Band). If you've never been to Utopia, you should check it out--it's a cute little hippie-ish bar and grill off of Rosewood Drive; they have a great music line-up weekly, as well as $.25 wings on Sundays and $1.00 tacos on Mondays.

Saturday, February 20th:
-All-Local Farmer's Market, 8am-12pm, 711 Whaley Street. Click here to see this week's vendors.

image via here

- It's USC Baseball opening weekend! Saturday's game against Duquesne is at 3 PM. (Friday's is at 3 pm and Sunday's is at 1:30 pm). Go Cocks! (I can't help it-I was raised on Gamecock baseball, and adore it to this day).

Sunday, February 21st:

image via here

The South Carolina Contemporary Dance Company will perform The Chemistry of Color at the Columbia Museum of Art at 3 pm. This event is to accompany the major art exhibit on display at the museum until May 9th called The Chemistry of Color: Contemporary African-America Artists. Cost is $10 or $5 for students. Click here to purchase tickets.

What are you up to this weekend?

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Do-Gooder Monday

Some chances to do good this week:


1) Register for the first ever Race for the Place 5K run/walk to be held this Saturday, February 6th at 8:30 am. All proceeds from this event will benefit St. Lawrence Place, a transitional housing program for homeless families in the Midlands. {I work at SLP and have been helping organize this event, so I'm a bit biased, but you should do it!}

Sponsors include: BlueCross BlueShield, Bank of America, 621 Athletes, Pupcakes Pet Boutique, Doc's Barbeque and Southern Buffet, Edisto Irrigation & Landscaping, Pinnacle Physical Therapy, Shandon-Wood Animal Clinic, Cottage & Vine, Ed Robinson Dry Cleaners, Chick-fil-A, Young Chef's Academy, Allegra Printing, Piggly Wiggly, Colonial Life, and Mad Platter!

There will be a Fun Run for kid's under age 12, and Chick-fil-A will be on-site with the cow and free food, as well as Young Chef's Academy with an activity for kids and Ed Robinson Cleaners with a raffle for free dry cleaning!

image via here

2) Eat at Village Idiot in 5 Points tonight--100% of sales from 4-close today will be given to the Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund!

image via here

3) Go to the Junior League's Clean Sweep event at the Fairgrounds this Saturday, (after the race of course!) 8am- 2 pm; $2 for parking and $2 admission; at 12:30-1 pm the sale closes and then from 1-2 pm you can pay $5 to fill up a bag as full as possible with donated items such as DVDs and music, linens, books, home and garden items, etc...a junk-finder's dream! And all the proceeds go to help the Junior League fund community projects for local non-profits.

Know of any other charitable events going on this week?

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The Better to Taste and Hear With...

image via here

To taste...
Next week, January 11-17, is Columbia's Annual Restaurant Week! The website says: "Restaurant Week Columbia will be a seven day celebration of the cuisine scene in the Midlands. From fine dining to casual, participating restaurants will feature special menu items, promotions and discounts."

There are currently 20 participating restaurants, each serving a 3-4 course menu ranging in price from $19-$42 per person. (All are under $30). Restaurants include Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, MoMo's Bistro, and Dianne's on Devine--all restaurants that I have not visited when paying for my own meal ever.*


I am currently on a month-long detox diet, but might have to break it for just one night to take advantage of the deals at one of these restaurants...hmmm, maybe Cellar on Greene...the Chile Seared Yellowfin Tuna with lime creme-fraiche and sriracha sounds right up my alley.

The Blue French Onion Soup offered on the menu at Great American Grill at the Hilton Garden Inn sounds pretty amazing too. I know the chef there, Stuart Partin; he's a very nice guy--very charitable and giving.** Go give his restaurant a try, and tell him Becca from St. Lawrence Place sent you!

To hear...

image via here

Those Darlin's at Art Bar this Saturday night, January 9th. Nope, I've never actually seen them play before, but I listened to a few songs on-line...and this article in today's Free Times has convinced me. Described in the article as "s#!t-kicking rockabilly," and with Magnetic Flowers opening for them, I was sold. $5 cover; show starts at 9 pm.

The White Mule is a relatively new Main Street pub and eatery that also has regular, varied, live music. I have been excited to patronize the place for a while now, but think I may actually make it happen in the next week or two... Here's their live music calendar through March 2010.

What else is going on in the music scene?

*Full disclosure--I have eaten at each of these restaurants before, but only when my father was paying.

**Stuart Partin at The American Grill at the Hilton Garden Inn is great about donating gift certificates and sponsoring things for St. Lawrence Place, the non-profit where I work. He's awesome!

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Week of Christmas Rush

I can't believe it's the week of Christmas! I have not wrapped or baked anything, my house needs a thorough cleaning before Christmas Eve dinner for my family can be served there, and I have more than a couple presents left to buy...nothing out of the ordinary for me; procrastination is king in my home.

Here are some things I am hunting down for last-minute Christmas gifts:

For the dogs:
image via here

Pupcakes is having a sale on one item each day until Christmas...today's item: 30% of all sweaters and coats. My dogs won't be getting clothing this year, but some snacks are on my list. [Register on the Pupcakes website to receive their e-newsletter letting you know about all the great sales!]


For my mom, sister, sister-in-law, grandmother, friends:
image via Hand Picked e-newsletter

Hand Picked has multiple items for only $1; this week only! Items include initial lip balm, glass bangles, sterling silver CZ post earrings, and sterling silver ball post earrings. Plus, through January 2nd, everything in the store is 20-40% OFF!

For my pops:
image via here

A Rosso gift certificate...I LOVE this restaurant, and so does my dad...if I get him a gift certificate, there's a good chance he'll take me along when he goes to use it :) And, if you buy a $50 gift certificate from either Rosso or Gervais & Vine, you get a FREE bottle of wine!

And for anyone on your list with children, a great gift is a Kids in the Kitchen cookbook, created by Young Chef's Academy, in conjunction with St. Lawrence Place, a transitional housing program for homeless families with children. The cookbooks are only $10 each, and all the proceeds will go to support St. Lawrence Place. They can be purchased from the following local vendors, or by contacting me at bsmith@stlawrenceplace.org:
Young Chef's Academy
Trinity Cathedral Bookstore
Mary & Martha's
Rosewood Market
Groucho's Deli on Forest Drive
Shandon Presbyterian Church

Happy last-minute prepping/shopping/cleaning/baking for Christmas!
What do you have left to do?

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I heart Fall...and Pupcakes!

Happy first day of Fall!

Fall is by far my favorite season of the year. Though we don't get as spectacular a leaf-color-change in SC as we did when I lived in Lexington, Virginia, SC still gets a little nip in the air, and the sun that coats the landscape is a little more sepia-toned.

My favorite month of the year comes in Fall--November. I love November because of Thanksgiving, the proximity to Christmas, the chill in the air, being able to finally wear gorgeous scarves like this one, and also admittedly because of that damned movie Sweet November with Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron...not exactly Oscar-worthy, but it touched me nonetheless. And, lest I forget to mention, my wedding anniversary is in November-- November 22nd will be Year 1!

On this beautiful first day of Fall, I had the pleasure of visiting Pupcakes on Devine Street in Columbia.

If you have a dog, know someone who does, or just like dogs, you should visit Pupcakes Pet Boutique. They are currently located at 2732 Devine Street, but will be opening a new location at 625 Harden Street this Thursday, September 24th!

I ventured into the store for the first time recently and purchased a dog bowl that I had seen advertised on their Facebook page--it is called a "Brake-fast Bowl" and the intent is to slow down your lightning-speed eater. My dog, Abby, used to inhale her food--literally--she didn't even chew the pellets, just swallowed, and I just felt like that couldn't be good for her.

But now, since the introduction of the "Brake-fast Bowl," she actually lies down to eat her food because it takes her a good 3 minutes to get every pellet. Such an improvement!

Abby eating lying down

Plus, it's a great conversation piece because it is so funny looking.

In addition to having great gifts and treats for dogs or dog-lovers, Pupcakes has a very friendly and helpful staff, including 2 precious dogs named Blue and Prada. The human staff, Marie Lipton and Amanda Hamilton, are true dog lovers, as well as humanitarians--Pupcakes recently signed on to be a Platinum Level Sponsor of the inaugural "Race for the Place" 5K to benefit St. Lawrence Place, (the non-profit where I work), to take place on February 6, 2010.

I highly recommend stopping by one of their locations soon to treat your dog to something special! Say hi to Prada and Blue for me!

Blue and Prada of Pupcakes

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