In Our Community...

**2022 Winter Legislative Breakfast**

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s Winter 2022 Chamber Legislative Breakfast will be held on Friday, February 25th. Michael Callahan, President of Duke Energy, SC will be the keynote speaker at the event. Doors will open for the breakfast at 7:30am and the program will begin at 7:50am. Individual tickets are $20 for members. Reserved tables of 8 are available for $180. This program is made possible by Duke Energy and Signature Wealth Strategies. Come join us and learn more about the future of energy in South Carolina.

The breakfast is open to the public. All those attending must register prior to the event. Room seating is limited. Attendees must wear face coverings.

**Enrollment Now Open For The 2022 Session**

Enrollment open for the Modjeska Simkins School for Human Rights “It must be conceded that at this very hour, more so than at any time in the history of this nation, there is urgent need for the development of progressive thinkers to become the leaders of TOMORROW.”

Modjeska Monteith Simkins wrote this in a 1946 announcement for the upcoming Leadership Training School at Harbison Junior College in Irmo, SC, under the auspices of the Southern Negro Youth Congress.

Tuition for the entire 18 week session is $350, with monthly payments and scholarship assistance available. For details about the school, the class 2022 class schedule, and application process, see ModjeskaSchool.com.

Questions? Call 803-808-3384 or email modjeskaschool@scpronet.com

**The Final Coffee & Community Event**

Inclement winter weather cancelled the Jan. 21 event, but the City of Darlington Planning Department still wants your input as it writes the City’s Comprehensive Plan: Darlington 2035.

The final Coffee & Community event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 28, at Joe’s Grill, 306 Russell St., Darlington. Coffee or breakfast will be Dutch treat.

“What direction do you want Darlington to grow? Where do you see the City in 2035? That’s what we are trying to describe with this plan,” says Lisa Bailey, director of economic development and planning.

Surveys are available at City Hall, 400 Pearl St. Pick up or drop off surveys at City Hall, 400 Pearl St., Darlington, or mail completed surveys to City Planning, P.O. Box 57, Darlington, SC 29540.

For information, contact the Planning Department by email rock@cityofdarlington.com or by phone at 843-398-4000 or 843-992-1561.

**Darlington County League of Women Voters Monthly Meeting: Gun Control Initiative**

The League of Women Voters of Darlington County monthly meeting is set for Thursday, February 17, 6pm at Genesis Community Center 115 Exchange Street Darlington,SC. Topic : Gun Control Initiative , Featuring MomDemand Action. The public is invited to attend. For more information call Barbara CARRAWAY, 843-409-5241, Joyce Franklin 843-260-3387, Linda Beckcon 844-615-8287

**New Picnic Shelter at Dr. Iola Jones Park Coming Soon!**

The City of Florence is so appreciative of community partners like Duke Energy. At the Florence City Council meeting, Mindy Taylor, on behalf of Duke Energy, presented the city with a $50,000 donation for the construction of a new picnic shelter at Iola Jones Park.

**Bus Driver Training Course Offered**

Anyone interested in becoming a bus driver in Florence School District 3 can enroll for the free certification four-day course offered by the South Carolina Department of Education.

The classroom instruction for certification course will be completed virtually in the first three scheduled days via Microsoft Teams. The fourth day of instruction will include knowledge training anyone needing to acquire or upgrade a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) must complete before a license can be issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

In compliance with the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) required under 49 CFR Part 380, this training, coupled with the SCDE classroom curriculum, is intended to assist driver candidates with the written tests they will take at the DMV to obtain a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).

Individuals who already have a CDL with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements will not need to complete the fourth day of training.

**ArtFields Makers Market**

The ArtFields Makers Market is chock full of goods made by incredibly talented artists from across the Southeast. ArtFields is beginning its call to makers for the historic tenth year of ArtFields. This open-air market showcases everything from fine art to unique hand-crafted goods and objects, inspired by the heart and soul of artists from this region. Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with the makers and purchase their creations. Makers Market will take place during the first weekend of ArtFields 2022 on April 23-24. Applications will be accepted through February 18.

**AROHA Afro Latin Dance Classes**

Aroha offers weekly Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba Dance Classes. The schedule for January is January 3-25

Monday: 6:00 Salsa; 7:00 Bachata

Tuesday: 6:00 Kizomba

Thursday Practices: (January 6 & 20)

7:00-8:00 Open Dance with Instructor Support

Saturday (January 15)

2:00 Kizomba

3:00 Bachata

4:00 Salsa

7:00-8:30 SBK Social: Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba

Break Week: January 31-February 5

*Covid Protocols: Everyone must wear a mask regardless of vaccine status. People will sanitize their hands at the beginning of class and again in the middle of the lesson. The staff will sanitize all surfaces between classes. Please do not come to class if you are not feeling well. Classes will be streamed and recorded so you can take your missed class at home before returning in person.

**22nd Annual Father Daughter Dance**

The Florence YMCA annual Father Daughter Dance returns Friday, February 4, 2022.

Dance begins at 6:00 PM AT SiMT located at 1951 Pisgah Road, Florence, SC 29501

Tickets are on sale via the Florence YMCA now!

**American Spiritual Ensemble**

The American Spiritual Ensemble is a critically-acclaimed professional Gospel and Classical group comprised of some of the finest singers in the Classical music world. The group pays homage to the American Negro Spirituals of American slaves, which helped America find its voice in the most difficult part of U.S. history. These spirituals would later give birth to Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Pop, and even influence Musical Theatre.

Sunday, January 30 at 3:00 pm