Chamber holds annual Legislative Reception
When:  Thursday, December 1, 6 - 8 p.m.
Where:  Historic Beaufort Arsenal, 713 Craven Street, Beaufort
Cost:  $35 for members, $70 for non-members
What: The Annual Legislative Reception provides an opportunity for chamber members to networking with local and state elected officials.  The chamber will present our 2012 Legislative Agenda to our elected officials.  Additionally, our state legislative delegation will have an opportunity to discuss their goals for the upcoming legislative session. Please RSVP to Amy Kaylor at amy@beaufortsc.org or 843.525.8524.

Black Chamber holds Friday networking event
The Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce (BCBCC) will have its First Friday Networking Event from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, December 2, at the chamber office located at 801 Bladen Street. This Holiday Drop-In is our way of thanking you for your continued support.  Refreshments will be available.  Come share the holiday cheer at BCBCC. Call 843-986-1102 for details.

‘Pocahontas’ will be performed at BHS
“Pocahontas” will be performed by The Gingerbread Theater at Beaufort High School Auditorium.  A talented group of young actors bring to life more than just the legend of a princess. They bring to life a story of a young girl who stands up for what she believes in and does what was right, even when it is difficult to do so.  Performances are Saturday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m.  Tickets are $3.  For more information, please call 322-2152.

Photos with Santa at Branches downtown
Santa Claus is coming to Branches at 216 West Street a block off Bay Street on Saturday, Dec. 3 for photos from 6 to 8 p.m. For $5 cash or check we take your picture with Santa and then email it to you. Then you can make your own enlargement or design your own Christmas card.

Fripp Friends of Music brings back pianist
Fripp Island Friends of Music brings back pianist Thomas Pandolfi.  Julliard graduate Pandolfi, a leading interpreter of George Gershwin, will perform selections from Liszt, Chopin and Gershwin. Sunday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. at Fripp Island Community Center, Fripp Island. The cost is $20 a person; $10 for students. Free Fripp pass at gate. Attendees are invited to join the artist at a catered event after the performance. For details www.islc.net/friendsofmusic/ or call 843-838-6655.

Writing workshop explores memoirs
Treat yourself to a break from the stresses of the season with a relaxing, toes-in-the-sand sort of experience. Join fellow writers for an Afternoon of Memoir on Sunday, December 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. We’ll use author Natalie Goldberg’s (“Writing Down the Bones”) method of timed writing practice to springboard creating chunks of memoir that you can then weave into a story based on memories for yourself, friends and/or family members. You can even roll your creation, tie it with a ribbon and sneak it into stocking as a gift from the heart. Bring a favorite notebook or journal, several just-right pens and a desire to spend a couple of hours in your creative, nurturing right brain in my sunlight-filled home at 72 Bostick Circle in Battery Point. The cost is $35 per person. I am a freelance writer workshop leader and writing coach. Memoir is my best-loved genre. For more info, contact Katherine Tandy Brown at (843) 379-5886 or ktandybrown@gmail.com.

SCV holds meeting
Beaufort County’s Gen. Richard H. Anderson Camp #47 Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) will hold their monthly meeting on Monday, December 5. Meetings are held in the Harmony Masonic Lodge located at 2710 Depot Road in Beaufort, starting at 7 p.m. Guest speaker will be Camp Compatriot Bob Sadler who will  present “The Girardey Family, a Confederate French Connection.”   Meetings are open to the public. Those interested in learning more about the SCV are encouraged to attend or review the web site scvcamp47beaufortsc.com. Please contact Commander Paul Griffin at 843-524-8792.

Uptown Open House celebrates the season
Join GRACE &amp; GLORY Uptown, Suzara’s Kitchen, Be My Guest, Organika Salon  and Distinctive Designs &amp; Cabinetry in celebrating the holiday season with an Uptown Open House on Tuesday, December 6 from 4-7 p.m. The stores will be open for hospitality and delights. Featured that night will be 10% off your entire purchase at GRACE &amp; GLORY Uptown and a wine tasting at Suzara’s Kitchen. Join the Uptown retailers to cheer the holiday season.
GRACE &amp; GLORY Uptown is located at 1029A Boundary Street in Beaufort.  The women’s boutique carries a large selection of women’s clothing, shoes, accessories and home goods.  The boutique is open Monday – Saturday from 10-5.  For more information, call GRACE &amp; GLORY at 843-521-4050 or find us on Facebook.

Holiday dinner to help the homeless, needy
On Thursday, Dec. 8 and Friday, Dec. 9th, the Red Rooster Cafe on Ribaut Road will be having a holiday dinner for the needy and homeless around the area. The restaurant is donating 100 dinners, and accepting donations for the other 100 dinners.  The price for one dinner is only $3.50. Local churches and other organizations are helping distribute tickets to the people who need them most. For more information, contact Courtney Keith, 843-321-1108.

Christian Women’s Club meets at church
The Christian Women’s Club of Beaufort (Formerly Beaufort Women’s Connection) will meet on Thursday, December 8 at the St. Helena Parish Church at 507 Newcastle Street. The theme is “Singing into Christmas.” The doors open at 11:45 a.m. and lunch is served at 12:15 p.m. followed by the program with speaker Candice Pope. Music and feature with be Karen Ayers and Caroline Peterson.  Cost for the luncheon and program is $12 which includes gratuity and tax. Reservations can be made to Karen Whitehead by calling 838-7627 or E-mail mommakaren@islc.net. Reservations need to be made by Monday, December 5.  Child care is available by prior request.

American Revolution Round Table to meet
For the American Revolution Round Table, it’s December program and lunch time on Thursday, December 8,  at the Callawassie Country Club’s “River Club” building. The schedule is: 11:30: Social, 12: Luncheon, 1: After the Fall of Charles Town: May 1780 - December 1782, 1:45: Q &amp; A. In May of 1780, Charles Town fell to the British who quickly established inland posts across the state.  These were dark days for the supporters of the American cause.  Relive these times with Eliza Lucas Pinckney and discover how despair turned to triumph. Speaker Peggy Pickett is a noted historian, author, a living history interpreter, a teacher, and an experienced Williamsburg guide.  Members’ cost of lunch is $19.50, Guest cost for lunch is $25.50. Reservations must be received on or before Saturday, December 3.

42nd Senior Citizens’ Tea will be at MCAS
The 42nd Senior Citizens’ Tea hosted by the Officers’ Spouses Club of the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort will be held at the MCAS Officers Club on Sunday, December 11 from 1 to 3 p.m.  The tea, a favorite event for local senior citizens is an afternoon of fun, food, entertainment and holiday cheer.  All senior citizens are welcome and there is no cost to attend.  Limited transportation is available.  Join us for this time honored tradition; RSVP by November 30 to Kate Jindrich at (843) 476-6948 or katejindrich@yahoo.com for reservations and information.

Photo With Santa Fundraiser at studio
Captured Moments Photography at 1402 King Street in Beaufort is hosting a three day ‘Photo With Santa Fundraiser’ to benefit HELP of Beaufort. Bring your little ones to the studio on December 12, 13, or 14 from 3 to 7 p.m. and have their photo taken with Santa Claus himself.  Who needs a drive to the shopping mall this year? Cost per sheet is $20, and portions of the proceeds benefit HELP of Beaufort. Please call Captured Moments Photography at 843-379-0223 for more information.

Auditions being held for ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’
Auditions for Tennessee William’s  “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” will be held Tuesday, December 13 and Wednesday, December 14 at 7 p.m. at the Center for the Arts, Carteret Street. If you are interested in auditioning, please bring a non-returnable recent photograph to the audition. Actors will be reading from the show script the night of audition. The Beaufort Theatre Company is a community based theatre group comprised of amateur and professional actors who share a love for the performing arts. For more information, call the CFA box office (843) 521-4145. Show dates are March 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 2012.

Beaufort Writers meet
Beaufort Writers meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Lady’s Island Airport Conference Room. The next meeting will be December 13.

Big holiday book sale being held at library
Friends of the Beaufort Library (FOL) is having a huge sale of gently-used books every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday between now and December 14 in their store in the Beaufort library — just in time for the upcoming holidays! New inventory, slashed prices, Books by the Bag. Wednesday hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Friday hours are 1 to 5 p.m.; and Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 843-812-3574 for additional information. Give the gift of reading this holiday season.