<b>Girls night out coming&nbsp;</b><b>to Modern Jewelers</b>

Island Girls Night Out, an opportunity to socialize, meet new friends and win prizes will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Modern Jewelers at 807 Bay St. in downtown Beaufort.&nbsp;

Guests are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for a child ages 5-13 to this free event.

The toys will be distributed by Neighborhood Outreach Connection at its annual Christmas party for children.

<b>Books, authors, Santa&nbsp;</b><b>to be on hand at event</b>

YBR Publishing and the South Carolina Lowcountry Tourism Commission will host an Authors Under the Live Oaks/Toys For Tots event at Frampton Plantation, 1 Lowcountry Lane in Yemassee (I-95 Exit 33).

The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9.

Nearly 50 authors, artisans and vendors from across the Lowcountry and beyond will be on hand for a book signing under the centuries-old live oaks on the plantation. Multiple genres of books will be available for all readers’ tastes.&nbsp;

The Authors event is paired with Frampton’s annual Marine Corps Toys For Tots event to raise toys for needy and deserving children.

Santa Claus will be on hand from noon to 1 p.m. to visit with all visitors to Frampton Plantation. The event is free.

Lowcountry authors, artisans and other vendors interested in participating should contact YBR Publishing at contact@ybr.com.

<b>Smiles for Santa&nbsp;</b><b>at farmers market</b>

The Beaufort Garden Club will hold its second annual Smiles for Santa event from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays on Dec. 9 and Dec. 16, at the Port Royal Farmer’s Market. Bring your children and/or pets to the Gazebo area at the market and have your picture taken with Santa. Your photo will then be emailed to you. A $5 donation is suggested. All proceeds will go to local charities.

<b>Golf cart parade&nbsp;</b><b>coming to Port Royal</b>

The annual Port Royal Christmas Golf Cart Parade will be held starting at 5:15 Saturday, Dec. 9.

There will be awards, an after-party, a chili cookoff, entertainment, food, a kid’s zone and more.

The event will be held at Live Oaks Park.

<b>USCB presents&nbsp;</b><b>chamber music</b>

A chamber music concert will be held at the USCB Center for the Arts at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10.

The program will feature Andrew Armstrong on piano, Aaron Boyd on violin, Danielle Farina on viola and Edward Arron on cello.

There will be an opportunity for a brief conversation with Michael Johns from 4-4:30 p.m. prior to the concert.

Tickets start at $42 and can be purchased online at uscb.edu/chambermusic, or by calling 843-208-8246.

<b>Drum circle to </b><b>play at park</b>

A group of local percussion lovers who enjoy the impromptu experience that a drum circle brings are inviting others to join in.

The Beaufort SC Drum Circle will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. the second Monday of each month at the Contemplative Garden at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort. The next event will be held on Monday, Dec. 11.

Participants should bring some water and any non-electronic drum or other percussion instrument.&nbsp;

Visit the "Beaufort SC Drum Circle" Facebook page, email beaufortscdrumcircle@gmail.com or contact Jane at 732-259-1935 or Lanny at 843-441-0169.

<b>Conroy center presents&nbsp;</b><b>Evening of song, stories</b>

An Evening of Stories &amp; Songs with Lee Smith, Jill McCorkle and Marshall Chapman will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at the USCB Center for the Arts.

The program is being presented by the Pat Conroy Literary Center.

General admission is $45 and reserved seating (including a private reception with the performers) is $75. Tickets are on sale through the USCB Center for the Arts box office by calling 843-521-4145 or visiting&nbsp; www.uscbcenterforthearts.com.&nbsp;

The event is being sponsored by the Hootie &amp; the Blowfish Foundation and the Anchorage 1770 Inn.