<b>Meet the candidates at town hall forums
</b>

Representative Shannon Erickson continues to hold a series of public Town Hall forums for the candidates for the First Congressional District special election. The evenings are reserved for two candidates each night to attend, introduce themselves and answer questions from the public. Each candidate will be on stage for an hour, either 6 until 7 p.m. or 7 to 8 p.m.

Dates for these  forums are:

• Monday, March 4:  Mr. Keith Blandford (R) 6 p.m. and Representative Peter McCoy (R) 7 p.m.

• Monday, March 11:  Representative Andy Patrick (R) 6 p.m. and Mr. Jonathan Hoffman (R) 7 p.m.

Each town hall will be held at the Technical College of the Lowcountry Auditorium, 921 Ribaut Road, Building 12 in Beaufort. For more information, contact Representative Shannon Erickson, shannonerickson@schouse.gov, 843-263-1867.

<b>Fripp Audubon: Around</b><b> the World with 80 Birds</b>

Fripp Audubon and Naturally Fripp Community Habitat welcome one of the most celebrated international birders of all time, Romney Bathurst. But Ms. Bathurst has tapped into 9,000 bird species on seven continents. Come and find out why she says, “Birding is a great excuse to travel and travel is a super opportunity to bird!” Thursday, Feb. 28, Fripp Island’s Community Centre, 7 p.m. Presentation is free and free pass at gate. “Meet-‘n’-greet,” 6 p.m., please bring plate of nibbles to share. Contact pete.richards@comcast.net, 843-441-2153 and visit www.islc.net/audubon.

<b>Experts discuss caring for aging or ill loved ones</b>

Are you caring for an aging or ill loved one? Would you like to know what care options are available as you or a loved one ages? If the answer is “yes” to either of these questions, there is help. Dr. Carl Derrick, III, an internist at Lowcountry Medical Group, will discuss the many resources available to those who are aging or ill at an open discussion on Thursday, Feb. 28, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Lowcountry Medical Group. Also on hand to answer questions will be experts in the fields of hospice, in-home care, assisted living and Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Lowcountry Medical Group is located at 300 Midtown Drive in Beaufort (next to the Bi-Lo Shopping Center). The Community Room is located on the first floor next to the lab. Please call (843) 605-3155 or e-mail john.beal@hospicecare.net for more information.

<b>Learn how to effectively manage medications</b>

To help avoid the severe complications Parkinson’s Disease patients face if they mismanage their medications, Kelly Berry Winters, R.Ph. of Walgreens Pharmacy in Beaufort will discuss how to effectively manage medications on Thursday, March 7, at 1:30 p.m. at the Parkinson’s Support Group’s monthly meeting. The meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month from 1:30 – 3 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall of Shell Point Baptist Church located at 871 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort, SC 29906. The meetings are free and open to anyone who is living with Parkinson’s Disease or who is a caregiver or has a loved one suffering from Parkinson’s. For more information or to arrange transportation, contact Rose at 843- 252-3001 or e-mail rewing@alcco.com.

<b>Waste Management has 19th CAPA golf tourney</b>

Area golfers are gearing up for the 19th Annual CAPA Golf Challenge, hosted by Waste Management, set for a 12 p.m. shotgun start on March 8 at Old Tabby Links, Spring Island. Men and women of any golf skill level are invited to play. Teams of four will play using the Texas Shamble format. The entry fee is $175 per player or $660 for a four person team.  All players receive a round of golf with cart, practice range and balls, tee gift, box lunch, course beverages. A Players’ Award Party for all sponsors and golfers to be held on-site immediately following play.  All proceeds will go to the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA) of Beaufort. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.  For more information and a sponsor form, please visit our website at www.capabeaufort.org.

<b>Black chamber presents Young Artist Showcase</b>

The Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce (BCBCC)  and Whale Branch Elementary School are presenting the Young Artist Showcase 2013, an arts celebration in recognition of Youth Art Month.  The event will feature artwork from students in grades K-4 and will be held at Whale Branch Elementary School located at 15 Stuart Point Road on Friday, March 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.  The event will serve as a First Friday Networking event for the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce. All business owners, parents, and residents of the community are invited to attend. This event is free.  For more information, call 843-986-1102. Elizabeth Colbert-Busch, candidate for 1st Congressional District, will speak at the event.

<b>Beaufort Junior Shag Club has March dance </b>

The Beaufort Shag Club is pleased to host the Junior Shag Club March Dance Party on Sunday, March 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. at AMVETS Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal.  The dance is free and open to juniors age 8 to age 18 who want to learn the SC state dance, the Carolina Shag.  Instructors will be on hand to teach beginner, intermediate and advanced steps.  Parents welcome and encouraged.  Visit the Junior Shag page at www.Beaufortshagclub.com.

<b>Poker Run raises funds for puppy Merlin, PAL</b>

Join fellow bikers, drivers and rollers of all kinds in a “Poker Run” to help raise funds for Merlin. Merlin was four weeks old when he was found by a sanitation worker in a dumpster. The puppy was duct taped in a box, with a wire bound tightly around his front leg. Palmetto Animal League removed the leg and saved the pup’s life. They are raising funds to purchase a front wheel cart from Eddie’s Wheels so that Merlin can enjoy a full dog’s life. This ride is sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings Beaufort, which will provide wings at the end, where Merlin will also make a guest appearance to thank all the riders and supporters. Any extra proceeds raised will benefit Palmetto Animal League. The ride is Saturday, March 2, starts and ends at Buffalo Wild Wings in Beaufort. Registration starts at 10 a.m. and costs $15 for single riders/$20 for dual riders. Last Bike in at 2:30 p.m. Prizes include: $200 Savannah Harley Davidson and $50 Savannah Hooters gift cards. Ride directions with stops will be provided day of the run. Contact Jody at 843-812-5937.

<b>Candidate Frasier to speak at Penn Center</b>

Wadmalaw Island native Ben Frasier wants to replace current U.S. Sen. Tim Scott as the representative of South Carolina’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Frasier, one of the two Democrats on the March 19, Democratic Primary ballot for the Special First Congressional District seat, will be the guest speaker at the March meeting of the Northern Beaufort County Democratic Club. The meeting will be held on Friday, March 8, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in Frissell Hall, at St. Helena Island’s historic Penn Center. The event is free and open to the public. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m., followed by a reception during which the public will be able to meet Frasier.

<b>Museum shows film ‘Sea Island Secrets’ </b>

Beaufort History Museum is celebrating the first day of spring with a special showing of “Sea Island Secrets,” a documentary about Lowcountry islands.  The movie features outdoorsman Gibbes McDowell and archeologist Chester De Pratter in this full-length film produced by Mike Hudson. McDowell, De Pratter, and Hudson will all be on hand for a Q&amp;A following the film, and for conversation before, with wine and hors d’oeuvres.  Reception at March 20, 6 p.m., viewing at 7 p.m.  Cost is $10 members, $15 non-members.

<b>St. Patty’s Golf tourney benefits search, rescue</b>

Beaufort Water Search &amp; Rescue and Fripp Island Sea Rescue will hold the 10th annual St. Patty’s Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 9 a.m. at Ocean Creek Golf Course on Fripp Island. The format is a four-person team, Captain’s choice. The cost is $75 per player, which includes tournament fee, cart, range balls, prizes and lunch. For more information contact Ted Michals at 843-838-5788.

<b>Clemson extension has talk about live oak care</b>

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service presents “Lowcountry Live Oaks: Care &amp; Management”  on Thursday March 14, from 1:30 until 4 p.m. at Union Church, 1004 11th Street, Port Royal, SC 29935. Registration is at 1 p.m., with a talk about Live Oak Natural History from Bob Franklin, Clemson Extension, and Insect, Disease &amp; Cultural Issues with Live Oaks by Dr. Kelby Fite, Aboricultural Researcher, Bartlett Tree Research Lab. There will be a walking tour of Port Royal Live Oaks with Laura Lee Rose, Clemson Extension and Frances Waite, South Carolina Forestry Commission.

<b>Colonial Tea to be held at Mikki’s in Port Royal</b>

Come to Mikki’s All-American Cuisine on Sunday, March 24 at 3 p.m. to partake of a Colonial Tea. Enjoy savories and sweets served with a variety of teas. Adults, $20 each; Senior Citizens/Children: $18 each. Reservations are required, call Mikki’s 843-379-4322.
<div></div>