<b>Alzheimer’s group gives support to caretakers  </b>

Is Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or increased confusion affecting someone you love? To help, Alzheimer’s Family Services of Greater Beaufort offers guidance, information and support to family members and caregivers. An all-gender support group meeting is held on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. On the second and fourth Mondays of the month from 10:30-11:30 a.m., a men’s support group meets to discuss the particular challenges men face in caring for their wives and female loved ones affected by the disease. The meetings are free and open to the public. The meetings are held at Helena House Assisted Living at 1624 Paris Avenue in Port Royal. For more information, please call 843-521-9190.

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<b>Apply, attend training as Hope Haven volunteer   </b>

Hope Haven of the Lowcountry, the Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center is accepting applications for volunteers and interns to attend the January/February 2014 Hope Haven volunteer training. Hope Haven volunteers serve as hospital advocates to child and adult survivors of sexual assault, and are also trained to answer crisis calls from the 24-hour hotline. Experts in law enforcement, counseling, and the medical field will present information regarding working with sexual assault victims. The 25-hour training also includes multi-media presentations, group discussions and role plays to equip volunteers with the skills necessary to help victims in crisis situations. Training will be held January 27, January 29, January 31, February 4, February 6, and February 8. The weekday sessions will be from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the Saturday session from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  All six sessions must be attended for crisis intervention volunteers to be fully trained. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, please call Christine Smith at 843-524-2256.

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<b>Speaker to discuss marriage, annulments </b>

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Annulments Presentation, Q/A, discussion: What can enable the Catholic Church to declare that a previous marriage is invalid, and null? Valerie Maxineau, JCL Director/Moderator of the Tribunal Chancery/Judge, Diocese of Charleston will be at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 70 Lady’s Island Dr., Beaufort, on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, from 10 a.m. to noon. This presentation is open to persons: Divorced or marrying a divorced person, Catholics married outside the church, and all who are interested. Contact Theresa Pulliam at 524-2604, pulliamins@hargray.com or Deborah Richard at 575-3742, deborahm@catholic.org.

• Returning Catholics Series Begins Jan. 18: St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 70 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort, is again offering a six week series for those considering a return to the Catholic Church or for those who have returned but are desiring to learn more about their faith.  Presentations and discussions are planned to help Catholics who have been away for awhile to return home.  Meetings are held on the six consecutive Saturdays from Jan. 18 through Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Adult Ed Room at St. Peters.  The series is free.  Contact:  Theresa Pulliam at 524-2604, pulliamins@hargray.com or Deborah Richard 575-3742, deborahm@catholic.org.

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<b>Beth Israel Synagogue to get historical marker </b>

The Beaufort County Historical Society will start 2014, the beginning of its 75th Anniversary year, with the dedication of a historical marker at the Beth Israel Synagogue on Sunday, Jan. 12, at 2:30 p.m. at the corner of West and Craven streets. According to Beaufort County Historical Society board member and researcher Linda Hoffman, “Beth Israel Synagogue was chartered October 16, 1905. On June 14, 1908, the dedication of Beth Israel Synagogue occurred with members of the Beaufort community attending as this was a milestone not only for the small Jewish community but for the larger community as well.” Hoffman goes on to say, “Descendants of the original officers and members of the synagogue are still living in Beaufort and are members of the synagogue. The Jewish community has been an integral part of Beaufort County since the mid to late 1800s.”

This is event open to the public. The Beaufort County Historical Society is the oldest association in Beaufort County dedicated to the study and preservation of history. A member based organization, the society was established in 1939. For more information, contact President Mary Lou Brewton at maryloubrew@aol.com or 912-604-3634 or visit www.beaufortcountyhistoricalsociety.org.

On Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club on Lady’s Island, USCB Professor Dr. Brent Morris will present information on William H. Brisbane, a Beaufort County plantation owner, an abolitionist, a man both revered and hated during the 1800’s in the Lowcountry. Dr. Morris’ talk will begin at noon and is free and open to the public. RSVP by January 13 to Linda Hoffman at hoffmaks@earthlink.net.

<b>Town manager to speak on Port Royal history </b>

On Tuesday, January 14 at 6 p.m. Port Royal Town Manager Van Willis will be the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Historic Port Royal Foundation. Mr. Willis will speak on the early history of Port Royal and current events that impact Port Royal. The public is invited to attend. Mr. Willis is a graduate of Presbyterian College and Leadership Beaufort. He and his wife own and operate the Little Brown School in Port Royal. Seating in the Union Church is limited, and is on a first come, first served basis. The church is located at 1004 11th Street, just off Paris Avenue. For more information, call 522-9923.

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<b>CODA invites public to its annual meeting
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Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse (CODA) will hold its annual meeting Tuesday, January 14, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Technical College of the Lowcountry, Building #23. The public is invited to attend. At the meeting, CODA’s accomplishments for 2013 will be reviewed and attendees will participate in a powerful interactive journey entitled “In Her Shoes” where they will navigate through the complex choices and challenges faced by survivors of domestic violence. Light refreshments will be provided. To RSVP, please contact Delores adminassistant@codabft.com or 770-1074, ext. 221. CODA has been providing an array of services to victims of intimate partner abuse and their children in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties for more than 27 years. Since 1986, CODA has assisted over 12,000 Lowcountry survivors of domestic violence through a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, case management, legal assistance, and transitional housing. CODA relies on grants and donations to provide all of these critical services free of charge. Please visit www.codalowcountry.org to learn more about domestic violence and CODA’s services.

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<b>Sea Island Animal </b><b>Hospital has open house</b><b> </b>

Join Sea Island Animal Hospital for an afternoon of fun at their Open House on Saturday, January 11, from 12 to 3 p.m. Enjoy tours, demonstrations, pet adoptions with the Beaufort County Animal Shelter, prizes, children’s games, food and fun. Sea Island Animal Hospital is located at 40 Professional Village Circle, behind Sonic on Lady’s Island.  Feel free to call 843-524-4551 for more information.

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<b>CAPA to hold annual meeting at City Hall </b>

Kim Duke-Clark, president of the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA), announces the organization’s 2014 Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Beaufort City Hall, 1911 Boundary Street. The meeting will include elections for board of directors and officers, recognition of volunteers and staff, an update on the state of child abuse and the release of the 2013 Annual Report.  There will be a special presentation on the South Carolina Heart Gallery and children available for adoption. CAPA, a United Way agency accredited by the Council on Accreditation, has provided child abuse prevention and intervention programs to the Beaufort community for more than 30 years. CAPA’s mission is to break the destructive cycle of child abuse and neglect by equipping parents, children and their caregivers with necessary skills, knowledge and values. CAPA’s Open Arms Shelter for Abused and Neglected Children has cared for more than 2,000 child residents since opening its doors in 1985. The shelter serves children from Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, Colleton and Allendale counties. CAPA’s Closet thrift shop is a valuable resource to the community and accepts tax-deductible donations of furniture, clothing, appliances, books and more. The public is encouraged to attend. For more information, call the CAPA Outreach Office at 843-524-4350 or email capa714@earthlink.net. Visit www.capabeaufort.org to learn more.

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<b>Building company has real estate open house </b>

Live Oak Builders is holding an open house for Beaufort real estate agents on Thursday, January 30, 2014, at Live Oak Builders’ design and remodeling center, 1402 Boundary Street, Beaufort, from 4 to 7 p.m. The Realtors can meet the builder, Todd Bradley, and his staff. They can answer questions about building or remodeling in Beaufort and the Sea Islands. The purpose of the event is to encourage partnerships between Live Oak Builders and Beaufort real estate agents. Light refreshments and cocktails will be served.

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<b>New AARP Safe Driver Class will be held  </b>

The new 2014 AARP Safe Driver Class will be held on Friday, January 24, 2014  at Summit Place of Beaufort, 1119 Pickpocket Plantation Dr., Beaufort, SC, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. This course is open to all drivers age 26 and older. A certificate for a  discount on your auto insurance is issued upon completion. Class size is limited, register now. Call Instructor Harry Ammon at 843-521-1941.

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<b>Free presentation helps people get organized </b>

The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) is a group of approximately 4,000 professional organizers dedicated to helping individuals and businesses bring order and efficiency to their lives. Each year in January NAPO members reach out to help our communities Get Organized (GO). On Friday, Jan. 24, professional organizers Crystal Eakle and Roxanne Cheney will present a free community education/service class called “The Organized Home: Two professional organizers talk about what it takes” at the Beaufort County library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. The goal will be to help attendees bring time management, organization, storage solutions and productivity into their lives. The two organizers will “show and tell” participants how to organize their homes and offices. Learn how to create an organized foundation that will help you and your family be more productive and joyful. For more information, call 843-252-1118, email Roxanne@RoxanneOrganizes.com or visit www.napocharleston.org.

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