I think I may take my son to the Pee Dee Deer Classic. We are not a hunting family really, but it sounds like there are some things out there that he would have fun checking out. I know Mr. Flossip would enjoy it as well. Plus, its free for kids and it is inside. With Air Conditioning. Enough said. (I would probably go check out the wonderful world of knitting toilet seat covers if it meant I could stay inside today.)

From the Civic Center Website:
The long awaited 17th Annual Pee Dee Deer Classic is finally here! Join us July 30 – August 1, 2010 for South Carolinas largest Deer Hunting Show!
Buckmaster Big Buck Scoring
Come See the projected new world record: The KING BUCK
Archery Tournament
Steve Scruggs Snakes Alive Show

Featuring: Hunting, Guns, Archery, ATVs, Sporting Goods, Outfitters, Camo, Knives, Taxidermy, Truck Conversions, Tree Stands, Trucks, Boats and More!

Do not miss the BIG EVENT for Outdoor Enthusiasts!

July 30 – August 1
Friday 4pm-9pm
Saturday 9am-7pm
Sunday 10am-6pm

Admission at the door:
Adults $8.00
Children 7-12 $3.00
Children 6 & under Free
!!Free Parking!!

Looking to become a vendor? Book your space today! Call Spotlight Promotions, Mike Johnson at 843-841-6031

The Noveaux Honkies! (Seriously, how awesome is that name?)

Florence After Five is tomorrow night July 30, 2010. Florence After Five welcomes home local talent Rebecca Dawkins and her band, The Nouveaux Honkies as they kick off a month long tour starting right here in Florence with two shows and extending up the coast and into the northeastern US. You should really listen to their music even if you can’t come by clicking this site. (You can also listen so you can sing along tomorrow night.) I am currently listening to “Your Twin.” I love their sound– it is a nice combination of country, blues, and rock.

This month’s concert sponsor is Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. Darlington Motor Speedway will be hosting a drawing for two tickets to the Too Tough to Tame 200 coming August 14th.

The After Party will be at Apple Annies after Florence After Five for another dose of the Nouveaux Honkies along with various craft and/or import beer giveaways and specials by Crown Beverages.

(Special thanks to Tim Norwood and Victor’s Bistro for another successful season thus far.)

(I am Flossip and I have a deep love for writing in parentheses. You can follow me on twitter for even more information. )

mellow mushroom coming soon to an old shoneys near you:

Tonight is a big night out at the Redwolves game. The Redwolves will be playing the Columbia Blowfish. There will be a team Photo Giveaway to First 400 Fans. Eagle 92.9 $1 Beverages and Wings. Best Buy “Price Is Right” Contest: Sponsored by: Print Image Solution.

As an aside, why is the Columbia team called the “Blowfish”? Are there any blowfish in Columbia? They don’t even have an aquarium. Don’t blowfish live in salt water? Anyway.

The added bonus for tonight is that is also the annual Young Professionals 4th Annual Family Picnic and Social from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, sponsored by HillSouth. Tailgate in the shade with tents compliments of Bravo! Event and Party Rentals, and enjoy some ice-cold beverages, courtesy of Wachovia and Boylan Soda. We’ll also provide free hot dogs* and chips, free RedWolves tickets to our first 80 attendees, a Crown Beverages “summer beer sampling” exhibit and a FREE DROID INCREDIBLE phone – one of the hottest new smart phones on the market!

Kids are welcome! For your children, Jumpin’ Inflatables is providing an inflatable jumpy house and Homer the Florence RedWolf will be available for pictures and autographs! Also, we encourage you to stay for the RedWolves game immediately following our social. The Florence RedWolves will be playing the Columbia Blowfish, one of their heated rivals in the Coastal Plains League. (If you think you meet the definition of “young” and “professional” you are welcome.)

Summer is always a little slow in Florence, but there is still plenty to do around town. Here are a few things going on:

Hope Health has a function on Thursday night:
Thursday · 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Location Art Gallery Trail (Old Kimbrells Building)
135 South Dargan Street
Florence, SC
Come out and enjoy a great time with friends, Food and beverages. No charge but donations are greatly welcome. Music by Jebb Mac (Folk Hop Band) And Lee Summerville

Also on Thursday night is the Young Professionals 4th Annual Picnic and Family Festival:

Come celebrate the Young Professionals 4th Annual Family Picnic and Social at the Florence RedWolves stadium (American Legion Field) on Thursday, July 22, at from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, sponsored by HillSouth. Tailgate in the shade with tents compliments of Bravo! Event and Party Rentals, and enjoy some ice-cold beverages, courtesy of Wachovia and Boylan Soda. We’ll also provide free hot dogs* and chips, free RedWolves tickets to our first 80 attendees, and a FREE DROID INCREDIBLE phone – one of the hottest new smart phones on the market!

Kids are welcome! For your children, Jumpin’ Inflatables is providing an inflatable jumpy house and Homer the Florence RedWolf will be available for pictures and autographs! Also, we encourage you to stay for the RedWolves game immediately following our social. The Florence RedWolves will be playing the Columbia Blowfish, one of their heated rivals in the Coastal Plains League.

Come and support the RedWolves, HillSouth and our event sponsors next Thursday, July 22, 2010. You don’t want to miss out on the excitement!

*Grilling made possible by Battle Gas, LP

Also, the last weekend of Alice and Wonderland, Jr. will be at the Florence Little Theater. The crowds are coming away VERY impressed! I was impressed and you can read more about my thoughts in the Morning News on Friday!

It certainly caught my eye! Has anyone eaten here? (Fireside Grill on Irby Street)

This weekend at the Florence Little Theater brings Alice in Wonderland, Jr.

This fast-paced stage adaptation of Alice in Wonderland features updated dialogue and new arrangements of such classic Disney songs as “I’m Late,” “The Un-birthday Song” and “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.” Join Alice’s madcap adventures in Wonderland as she chases the White Rabbit, races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with the Tweedles, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game! Roles are plentiful, including three Cheshire Cats and dozens of other wonderfully wacky characters.

(Source: Broadway Junior)

What is impressive to me is the commitment that the parents and children that are in the summer plays make. They have a demanding rehearsal schedule and really give the show their all. As a community, we need to show our support for how hard they are working.

Show times:
Friday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 17, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 18, at 3 p.m.
Friday, July 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 24, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 25, at 3 p.m.
Tickets: $15Adults/$10 Students
For more information call: 662-3731

On Thursday, July 8, 2010 DOGSWELL® will be hosting a Chubby Puppy Casting Call for their SHAPE UP® Your Pup Challenge™. Bring your overweight and out-of-shape dogs to Woofers at 2420 Hoffmeyer Road between 2:00pm and 8:00pm to register for the challenge. All participants will have their photo taken for their online profile, and receive free SHAPE UP® treats and dry food samples while supplies last!

The SHAPE UP® YOUR PUP CHALLENGE™ is an opportunity to raise awareness for the growing rate of pet obesity in the US, and provide pet owners with healthy and sustainable weight management solutions. From now through September 2010, DOGSWELL® will supply contestants with discounts on their low-calorie, low-fat weight management formula called SHAPE UP®, along with tips from experts on healthy and sustainable weight management practices! Challengers will have personal pup profiles, viewable at http://www.dogswell.com/shapeuppups, and will compete to see who is the most committed to shaping up. At the end of the competition we will ask the public to help select 3 winners by voting online for their favorite contestant. All winners will receive free food and treats, as well as the chance to become the official SHAPE UP® Spokes Pup!

For more information on Woofers, please visit http://www.wooferspetstuff.com.

If you can’t make it to the event, but would still like to sign up for the challenge, please visit http://www.dogswell.com/shapeupchallenge.

Take your dogs out to the Ballgame! Dogs 35 Pounds and under are invited to the Redwolves game against the Wilmington Sharks.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Bark In The Park. $2 Admission for Dogs 35 Pounds and Under.: Sponsored by: Pet Lover’s Warehouse

This sounds like a must attend event. I am such a reader– I read so many books it is insane. I can’t get to our fabulous library like I want to, so this becomes a very expensive habit. Looks like this is a perfect way to stock up on books! Not only that, but since we will be downtown for Florence after Five anyway… I can actually just walk between the two.

DATE: Preview Night Friday, June 25, 2010, 5:30 pm –7:30 pm ($5 Admission)

Saturday, June 26, 2010, 8:00 am –2:00 pm (Free Admission)

LOCATION: St. John’s Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall, Dargan Street
CONTACT INFORMATION: Christina Lawson, Executive Director at
florenceliteracy@yahoo.com or (843) 667-1908.
Get Ready for Summer Reading!

Pick up some great books at great prices and help fight illiteracy in Florence County!

The Florence Area Literacy Council will hold a Bag-a-Book Used Book Sale during the weekend of June 25-26, 2010. A Preview Night will be held Friday, June 25, 2010, 5:30 pm –7:30 pm; eager buyers will be able to get the first look at the selection. There will be a $5 admission charge for the preview event on Friday. On Saturday, June 26 from 8am to 2pm there will be no admission for the sale. On both days customers will be able to fill a bag for $10. The book sale will be located at the St. John’s Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall, located behind St. John’s Church and the Florence Area Literacy Council office on Dargan Street. The sale is open to the public. Hundreds of books will be available for purchase. Don’t miss the wonderful deals! Cash and Checks will be accepted, no credit cards. Book sale proceeds will benefit adult literacy programs, such as Basic Reading instruction, GED Preparation, Armed Services testing preparation and English as a Second Language instruction.