Sportfishing and diving club to hold July meeting
The Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club’s July Meeting will be held on Thursday, July 12, at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club on Lady’s Island, off Meridian Road. The social is at 6:30 and the program begins at 7 p.m. There will be presentations on locating, trapping, or netting various types of live baits. Local Captain Don May will provide a shrimp net throwing exhibition and tips on how to have a perfect throw every time. Members and guests are invited to bring their own cast net, for a contest on a professional peg board. For more information, call Captain Frank Gibson at 843-522-2020.

Debbi Covington to sign books at HBF event
Historic Beaufort Foundation will open the Verdier House doors to celebrate the publication of local caterer Debbi Covington’s new cook book with a book signing and wine and hors d’oeuvres, Thursday, July 12, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Mrs. Covington will sign copies of “Celebrate Everything! Delicious Menus for Festive Gatherings and Easy Entertaining,” with a share of her proceeds contributed to HBF. Her recipes have been published in multiple cookbooks including “Southern Living’s Best Kept Secrets of the South’s Best Cooks” and “The Best of The Best of South Carolina.”

Beaufort organ student to perform at church
The Second Friday Music at Noon presents Richard Lee Gray, III, organist, at St. Luke’s Church, 50 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island, on July 13. Programs last about 45 minutes and are free and open to the public. Richard L. Gray III, of Beaufort, is a sophomore organ student at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. Richard began taking piano and organ lessons at 13 when he studied with Mary Ingrassia and Gary Rakestraw, both of Beaufort.

Beaufort Lions Club to hold pancake breakfast
The Beaufort Lions Club Pancake Breakfast will be on Saturday, July 14, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Sea Island Presbyterian Church on Lady’s Island.

Christian Women’s Connection to meet
Beaufort Christian Women’s Connection will hold their next meeting on Thursday, July 19, at The Hilton Gardens Inn at 2015 Boundary Street, Beaufort, at 11:30 a.m. The guest speaker is Steve Battista of Bluffton and his topic will be “Chosen.” He is a Retired Navy Chief and federal investigator. Guest feature is Nancy Ricker Rhett, artist, author, book illustrator and owner of Rhett Gallery in Beaufort. Guest musician is Scott Gibbs. Chef Christy Adams will serve lunch. Cost is $13. For reservations, call or email Karen Whitehead at 838-7627 or mommakaren@islc.net. Make cancellations or reservations by Friday, July 13.

Democratic Women of Beaufort to meet July 17
The Democratic Women of Beaufort will meet on Tuesday, July 17, at Gilligan’s Restaurant on Boundary Street at 7 p.m. (optional meal at 6 p.m.). Leaders and volunteers from the audience will discuss how we can help in this campaign season. For more information, call 522-9948.

BYSC holds auxiliary boating safety course
There will be a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Course held at Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club on July 23, 25, and 27 from 9 a.m. to noon. The course is designed for ages 10-adult, and cost $25. This classroom course includes water safety, navigation, rules of the road, and safety equipment. Those who pass receive a certificate. Those under age 16 receive a wallet card that allows them to operate a powerboat without an adult. There is no on-water session. Space is limited. Please call 522-8216 or visit www.byscnet.com.

Veggie Fun World at St. Helena Parish church
Veggie Fun World 2012 is a Christian summer program for children offered by the Parish Church of St. Helena in downtown Beaufort in June, July, and August. Each program is distinct but related by the classic “Veggie Tales” characters used in crafts, songs, and activities. Session dates are July 16-20, August 13-17 and 27-31. Sessions I, II, and III are for children 18 months through 6 years. Each session has a fee of $130 per child. Contact Roz Dixon at 522-1712, ext. 220, or email nursery@islc.net. Register and pay online at www.sthelena1712.org.

Programs teach about Port Royal Sound
The public is invited to a free series of programs, “The Sound’s Good To Me” with guest speakers, a panel of local experts to answer questions, and a children’s program all geared to help people learn about this special area and how they can help keep preserve this amazing natural resource. The programs will be Please join us each Saturday  from 10 a.m. to noon at the future home of the Port Royal Sound Maritime Center, where SC 170 meets the Chechessee River, the heart of Port Royal Sound.
Here’s the schedule of Guest Speakers:
• July 14: Tony Mills, Education Director of The Lowcountry Institute and host of “Coastal Kingdom,” “Reptiles and Amphibians” with live animals.
• July 21: Laura Lee Rose, Clemson Extension and Master Gardener, “Gardening with Native Plants, a Carolina Yard.”
• July 28: David Harter, Glidden Paints and Hilton Head Reef Foundation, “Predators of Port Royal Sound.”
For more information about Port Royal Sound Foundation, visit www.portroyalsoundfoundation.org or email kmadden@portroyalsoundfoundation.org.

Family friendly events held at Lobeco library
The Lobeco Branch of the Beaufort County Library is holding some family friendly events.
• Storytelling with Mr. Greg, Friday, July 13 at 3 p.m. Join us for a special storytime with out books. For children 4 and older.
• The Center for Wildlife Education brings a menagerie of animals, fun creepy crawlers and bugs to Lobeco library on Wednesday, July 25. A one-hour educational and fun wildlife program including reptiles, raptors, creepy crawlers and bugs. Free and open to all ages.
The library is located at 1862 Trask Parkway, Lobeco. Call 843-255-6479, email gmolter@bcgov.net or visit www.beaufortcountylibrary.org.

Have some fun with Christmas in July
Join us for the Jingle Jog 5K and Christmas in July, a Family FUN Event on Friday, July 27, from 6-9 p.m. featuring:
• Jingle Jog 5K Run/Walk &amp; 1M Fun Walk (Onsite registration starts at 5:30 p.m. Race starts at 6 p.m. — additional fees apply to participate in this)
• Snow: Yes! Snow in July from 7-9 p.m.
• Entertainment by Drysdale Entertainment
• Swimming
• Water Slides, Jumpy House and Kids Games
• BBQ Plate by Palmetto Smokehouse
• Pepsi Soda Products and Water
• Peanut Butter &amp; Jelly Sandwiches and snacks provided by Hobbit Hills Preschools.
Christmas in July tickets: Adults  $10, Kids ages 5-12 are $5 and kid under 5 are free.
Jingle Jog Participation is $25 for adults. Register online at www.active.com or download form at www.festivaloftreesbeaufort.com.
For an additional charge, the following will also be available:
• Beer, Wine, Vodka Snowcones
• Bruster’s Real Ice Cream.
Don’t miss this new event sure to be a family favorite. SNOW in July in Beaufort! Are you excited yet? Get your tickets today! Call 525-6257. The event will benefit FRIENDS of Caroline Hospice.

Sand Sculpture Contest held at Hunting Island
Come join the fun for the fourth annual Sand Sculpture Contest at Hunting Island State Park on Saturday, July 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. It will be on the Beach in front of the lighthouse. Listen to local favorites, Side Street Walkers, playing jams. Gather your kids, friends, co-workers or put a team together. Enter as individual or teams. Prizes awarded in each category, awards presented at 3:30 p.m.
• Tools Permitted: Hand and sculpting tools including: buckets, shovels, sand scoops, carving tools, putty knives, spray bottles for water, and kitchen utensils.
• Materials: Use only natural materials found on/near the beach. Decorations such as shells, reeds, and small rocks may be used. No artificial decorations or materials are permitted.
Prize categories include:
• Sand Fleas (up to 8 years old – Must have an adult as a leader)
• Sand Hoppers (ages 9 –15)
• Sand Tribes (families)
• Sand Shapers (adults)
• Best in Show.
Judging is based on originality, composition and technique.

Golf tourney to benefit TCL scholarship fund
The Technical College of the Lowcountry Foundation will hold  the “Building our Community” Golf Tournament Monday, July 30 at Hampton Hall.  The event, sponsored by CareCore National, will benefit the TCL Foundation Scholarship Fund. The tournament will feature a scramble format for both men and women.  Golfers may try to a $10,000 Hole-in- One prize and a $50,000 raffle shootout competition. The $100 per person registration includes the cart, gift bag, a box lunch, and the hole-in-one contest. Registration begins at 8  a.m. and the Shotgun start will be at 9 a.m. To become a sponsor or to register, please call Institutional Advancement Executive Director Louise Mathews at 843-470-5962 or email lmathews@tcl.edu.

United Way seeking volunteers
United Way of the Lowcountry seeks  volunteers  for Beaufort office to  organize campaign materials, stuff letters, provide administrative support.   Flexible 9-5 schedule. Call Pam at 843-982-3040.