<strong>Don't miss Island Girls Night Out - Wednesday, December 9th</strong>

The next Island Girls Night Out will be held at Modern Jewelers on Bay St. in downtown Beaufort from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This year, we ask that all our Island Girls bring an unwrapped gift for a little boy or girl between 3 – 10 years old. New toys or clothes are appropriate but nothing will be turned away. All gifts will be donated to the Neighborhood Outreach Connection here in Beaufort that provides help to families in need through multiple channels. For each gift you bring, you will receive an extra raffle ticket increasing your chances of winning a wonderful holiday raffle prize. Maybe even something truly wonderful from our host, Modern Jewelers? See you soon!

<b>Celebrate Arbor Day with free trees</b>

Beaufort County Clemson Extension Service celebrates Arbor Day every year by giving away native bare root seedling trees. Master Gardeners will be on hand to help with planting tips.  Selections include swamp chestnut oak, redbud, persimmon, dogwood, Virginia pine. Limit of 5 trees per family.  Stop by 102 Beaufort Industrial Village Road in Beaufort, on December 4, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For questions, contact lrose@clemson.edu.

<b>Beaufort Solid Waste and Recycling to offer electronics recycling</b>

The Beaufort County Public Works Department Solid Waste and Recycling Office continues to offer a free electronics recycling event for County residents. The next event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Beaufort County Public Works, 140 Shanklin Road, Beaufort on Saturday, December 5. If you have questions concerning this or other recycling events, please call the Solid Waste and Recycling Office for more information at 843-255-2736 or visit their website at www.bcgov.net/recycle.

<b>Thumbs Up shows off antique and classic cars</b>

The 5th annual Antique and Classic Car Show fundraiser for Thumbs Up of Beaufort &amp; Port Royal will be held of December 5th. The show will benefit A Children Learning Center in Beaufort. The car show is on Market St. in Habersham from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come out for great music, food, fun, and view the oldies. Admission is free. This event is sponsored in part by Butler Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep.

<b>Sea Island Chamber Singers to perform</b>

A staple holiday tradition throughout the world, on December 5th, The Sea Island Chamber Singers will present Part I of Handel’s famous oratorio, <em>Messiah</em>, at USCB Center for the Arts. The choir is part of the Music Ministry of Sea Island Presbyterian Church and is under the direction of Charles D. Frost, Minister of Music at the Sea Island Church. Come together as a community and join us for this iconic event of the holiday season. There are two opportunities to experience the magic of Handel’s <em>Messiah</em>: on Saturday, December 5th 2015 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Adult tickets are $25, senior tickets are $20, and student tickets are $15. Tickets may be purchased online, over the phone, by calling the box office at 843-521-4145 or in person at the Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret Street.

<b>ArtiZen hosts free yoga for the military</b>

On Thursday, December 10th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ArtiZen Yoga will offer a free all-level yoga class exclusively for active military and their spouses. It will be taught by Ayren Pfeifer, our certified Ashtanga teacher, and a military spouse of 13 years. (Childcare will be available for a small fee of $5 per child. See you at ArtiZen located at 1121 Newcastle St. Suite Unit 2F in downtown Beaufort.

<b>USCB invites all to eat lunch with an author</b>

USCB Lunch with Author Series will feature Allegra Jordon on Thursday, December 10 at the Country Club of Hilton Head. A former book reviewer for <em>USA Today,</em> Allegra Jordan brings to light a real historical debate at Harvard over how to honor students who had fought for the Kaiser. A graduate of Harvard Business School, Allegra lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where she is a board member of the Harvard Club and vice-chair of the Southern Documentary Fund.

Lunch is served at noon and the all-inclusive price is $42. Reservations are necessary and can be made at 843-521-414, defurman@uscb.edu or online at www.uscbcenterforthearts.com.

<b>YMCA opens winter sports registration</b>

Registration for youth and adult basketball is now underway at the YMCA of Beaufort County. Youth basketball (age 3-12) registration is open until Dec. 29 with games starting January 4. Cost is $55 per person for Y members and $70 for non-members. Adult (age 18+) basketball registration is open until Dec. 21 with games starting Jan. 11. Cost is $40 per person for Y members, $50 for non-members, and teams are $250.

Registration for our Cheerleading Clinic (ages 4-10) is also underway at the YMCA through Jan. 3, 2016. Class is once per week for 5 weeks starting Jan. 3, 2016. Cost is $ 50 for Y members and $ 70 non-members. Class size is limited. Register for any of these programs at the YMCA located at 1801 Richmond Ave., in Port Royal, online at ymcabeaufortcounty.com or call 843-522-9622.

<b>Reserve your seat at the Legislative Luncheon</b>

Reserve your seat or table at the Legislative Luncheon on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at the Callawassie Island Club sponsored by the Beaufort County Association of Realtors, Lockheed Martin, and South Carolina Lowcountry Tourism Commission. Registration and networking begins at 11:00 a.m. and the program will begin at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $35 for members, $50 for non-members. A formal lunch will be served. Individual seats and tables of 8 or 10 are available. RSVP today by calling 843-525-8500 or emailing Valerie@BeaufortSC.org.
<h2>Upcoming library events</h2>
To be held at the <b>Lobeco Branch Library</b> at 1862 Trask Parkway, Lobeco.

Event:<b> Donate to the Tribute Tree or honor loved ones
</b>Date: All throughout the month of December — whenever the library is open!
Description: Have you lost a loved one this year? Donations to the Tribute Tree at the Lobeco Branch will help with purchase of a book in the memory of your loved one. This project supports the Friends of the Library which helps buy library materials for the Lobeco Branch.

Event: <b>Lobeco Matinee Movie
</b>Date: Saturday, December 12 at 11 a.m.
Description: These little yellow guys are out to conquer the world—without Gru! Snacks provided by the Friends of the Beaufort Library. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

Event: <b>Build a Gingerbread House
</b>Date: Saturday, December 19th 2:00 p.m.
Description: Build and eat your own gingerbread house! All ages welcome. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Beaufort Library. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

Event: <b>Lobeco’s Noon Year’s Eve Countdown Celebration
</b>Date: Thursday, December 31st 11:15 a.m.
Description: Dress elegantly and countdown to our Noon Year’s Eve Celebration beginning at 11:15 a.m. We will be making New Years’ noises makers and hats! Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Beaufort Library.

<em>For information on any of the programs, visit beaufortcountylibrary.org or call (843) 255-6456.</em>