<b>Event to focus on </b><b>keeping Broad clean</b>

The Outside Foundation will hold the first Keep the Broad Creek Clean Festival at Shelter Cove Harbour on Thursday, Aug. 11. The purpose of the event is to educate the community, especially local youth, about the importance of keeping local waterways clean through hands-on activities, exhibits and entertainment. The festival will kick off with a kayak-based cleanup of Broad Creek from 2-5 p.m., followed by a variety of dockside attractions at the harbor from 4-7 p.m., and topped off with a live performance by Shannon Tanner at 7 p.m. Free kayak rentals from Outside Hilton Head are available for the cleanup with reservations, which can be made by calling 843-686-6996. The dockside attractions will include a “How to Sort Recyclables” event directed by i2 Recycle, which will sort all of the trash retrieved from the creek. The foundation also invites all local residents and visitors to drop off hard-to-recycle items, such as long florescent bulbs and CFLs, batteries (all except rechargeable), laptops and cell phones. The Port Royal Sound Foundation, Coastal Conservation League, Beaufort Conservation District, Coastal Discovery Museum and Waddell Mariculture Center will also have fun and interactive exhibits. The Outside Foundation will be providing eco-focused crafts activities for children. All events are free and open to all ages.

<b>Concert coming to St. Helena library</b>

Sterling Silver Songs, a free concert featuring Gary Sterling, will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, at St. Helena Branch Library. Sterling is a recording artist, entertainer, world traveler and graduate of St. Helena High School. The purpose of the concert is to celebrate and inspire local youth with the message, "This Mountain I Must Climb!" Admission is free and all ages are invited. The St. Helena Branch Library is at 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road. The event is being sponsored by the St. Helena Branch Library.

<b>Variety of classed </b><b>offered at BAC</b>

The BAC/Mather Academy is offering a variety of upcoming programs. They include:

• Friday, Aug. 5: Wine and Paint - Beginner

Come and explore your palette with beautiful acrylics and wine as the BAC continues its popular "Wet Your Palette" wine and paint classes. Bring a group of friends and relax for a couple of hours as you paint together, listen to some music and enjoy the spirit of good company. Each class offers a new design.

• Saturday, Aug. 6: Decorative Bookmaking - Beginner

Take an ordinary cardboard children's book and turn it into a work of art. This class is suited for adults or older students. Participants use a cardboard book, decorative papers, stamps, fiber and found objects to create a transformed piece of artwork that revolves around a chosen theme.

• Monday, Aug. 8: Sweet Grass Basket Making - Beginner

This is a Lowcountry favorite. While learning basic techniques and developing your own basketry skills, your instructor will guide you while also sharing the history and stories of the Lowcountry and Gullah heritage. During this two-day workshop, several basketry techniques will be identified while students create their own basket using grasses and other natural found objects native to the Lowcountry. Class size is limited and all supplies are included.

• Saturday, Aug. 13: Glass Fusing/Sea Glass Bowls - Beginner

Students will learn how to cut glass and assemble it into an artistic pattern that will be fused into an 8-inch square dish that you can take home and use. Participants will learn about different types of glass, safety, the science of glass fusing and the amazing potential of fused glass. All students must wear closed-toe shoes. Safety equipment and glass cutting tools will be supplied.

For additional information about the BAC/Mather Academy classes, call 843-379-ARTS (2787) or visit www.beaufortartscouncil.org. The BAC/Mather Academy is at 916 Port Republic St. in Beaufort.

<b>Event to pay tribute </b><b>to Vietnam vets</b>

The Healing Heroes of the Lowcountry Fund will host the annual Vietnam Veterans Celebration on Friday, Aug. 12, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort in honor of the 51st anniversary of the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. This event seeks to honor our nation’s Vietnam War veterans of all branches of the military for their service and sacrifices to our country during a difficult era in our history. The event will take place from 7-9 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The Parris Island Marine Band and Beaufort’s Katie McAllister will be featured. For more information, visit www.hhlcf.org.

<b>Gallery event to raise awareness of sea turtles</b>

The Endangered Arts Gallery will host a special art event to support and raise awareness for the Sea Turtle Protection Project. Artist Rodel Gonzalez will be painting live at the gallery both days, and project manager Amber Keuhn will be available to answer questions on Saturday, Aug. 6. The Endangered Arts Gallery is at 41 William Hilton Parkway, South Island Square Shopping Center on Hilton Head. For more information, call 843-785-5075 or visit www.endangeredarts.com.

<b>SOBA to hold reception for wildlife artist</b>

An opening reception for “Wildlife Art and More” art show will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, at the SOBA Gallery at 6 Church St. in Bluffton. Sandy Rhodes is the featured artist in August with her “Wildlife Art and More” show. This collection features several still lifes, figurative paintings, Lowcountry scenes and more. The SOBA gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.sobagallery.com or call 843-757-6586.

<b>Sunset party to be held Aug. 19</b>

Dog Days of Summer Sunset Party will take place at sundown, Friday, Aug. 19, at Bluffton Oyster Factory Park. Dog Days of Summer is a celebration on the May River. The party will feature a food court, craft beer garden, wine bar, kids play area and other fun activities for the entire family. Performing at Dog Days of Summer will be Chris Jones and The Will Snyder Trio. Bluffton Sunset Parties are family-friendly fun. Everyone is welcome. Come by boat, bike or golf cart.  Lawn chairs and leashed pets are permitted, but no outside food or drinks will be allowed. A percentage of proceeds from the Bluffton Sunset Parties go to benefit local area charities. Tickets are $5 at the door, with children 12 and younger admitted free. For more information, visit www.blufftonsunsetparty.com or call Bear Foot Sports at 843-757-8520.

<b>Exercise-a-thon </b><b>coming to YMCA</b>

The sixth annual YMCA Exercise-a-thon will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 27, at the YMCA of Beaufort County at 1801 Richmond Ave., Port Royal. Classes will include spinning, kickboxing, yoga, Tabata, H.I.T.S. and more. Participants can take one class join as many as they want. All money raised will benefit the annual 2016 Scholarship Campaign, which funds financial assistance for local individuals and families in need. Non-YMCA members are encouraged to participate and will receive a complimentary Y day pass. The cost is $10 per person with additional donations welcome. Visit ymcabeaufortcounty.com.