<b>Meet the candidates at town hall forums
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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:

• Thursday, February 21: TBA 6 p.m./Senator Larry Grooms (R) 7 p.m.

• Monday, February 25: TBA

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

• Thursday, March 7: Representative Andy Patrick (R) 6 p.m./TBA 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>Military officers group to hold meeting</b>

The Military Officers Association of America Low Country Chapter invites active, retired, National Guard and all former U.S. officers to join them Friday, Feb. 22, at Dataw Island Club. A retired FBI agent will tell his amazing Pennsylvania 9/11 account! The noon luncheon includes club triple wrap, pasta salad, fruit, chips, brownies, iced tea at $20 per person. Call Nick Russell for reservations by Feb. 18, at 843-524-5577 or 843-812-9697 or email captnick@hargray.com.

<b>American Legion to hold golf fundraiser </b>

Beaufort American Legion Post 9 is holding the 15th annual golf fundraiser to benefit the junior and senior Ospreys on Monday, February 25. This year is a pro-am and they hope to have a pro on all teams. The event will be at the Legends of Parris Island golf course. For more information, visit www.bftamlegpost9,org. Call the golf course at 843-228-2240 or George Miller at 843-812-7287 or contact Rich Delmore, Post Adjutant at 843-473-5534.

<b>Sea Island Quilters to meet, welcome speaker</b>

The Sea Island Quilters will meet Thursday, February 21 at Praise Assembly,  800 Parris Island Gateway, 6 p.m.. The speaker will be Peggy Moyer discussing the Challenge Quilt. For details call Nan Brown at 828-989-7477 or Diana DeWitt at 843-379-3353.

<b>Therapy Dogs chapter to have certification test</b>

Therapy Dogs International Savannah Chapter 131 will be having a test for dog/handler certification on Sunday, Feb. 24. For more information please contact Chapter Director Kelly Meyer at 912-238-3170 or e-mail: kellysmastiffs@comcast.net or Beaufort’s Chapter Director Dick Hoagland at 843-522-2073.

<b>Silhouettist to cut </b><b>profiles at Verdier House</b>

Silhouettist Clay Rice will be available to cut profiles Sunday, February 24 at the Verdier House, 801 Bay Street, as part of activities associated with an exhibit of his grandfather’s work, “The Art of Carew Rice: Silhouettes of the Lowcountry” now hung by Historic Beaufort Foundation. Cuttings are two cuts for $42 per person. Appointments are necessary and may be made by calling Historic Beaufort Foundation at (843) 379-3331. You can also attend “The Art of Scissor Cutting Accompanied by Story &amp; Song” with Clay Rice from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. The program is $15 per person. Refreshments will be served. Call (843) 379-3331 to reserve a seat.

<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>American Association of</b><b> University Women meet</b>

The American Association of University Women will meet on Tuesday, February 26, 6 p.m. at Technical College of the Lowcountry in building 22. The guest speaker will be Jean Keefe, the Bereavement and Volunteer Coordinator for Friends of Caroline Hospice of Beaufort. For details contact,  Dr. Diana Steele at 522-2796 or steele.diana@comcast.net.

<b>Historical society holds meeting with author</b>

Beaufort County Historical Society presents Alexander Moore on Thursday, Feb. 21 at noon at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club off Meridian Road on Lady’s Island.  Mr. Moore will discuss his new book “The Fabric of Liberty: The Society of the Cincinnati of the State of South Carolina.” Alexander Moore is acquisitions editor of the University of South Carolina Press. His book is the history of a fraternal patriotic organization established at the same time our state and nation were created.  The work is illustrated with 66 black and white and 10 color images. Mr. Moore will have books available and will be signing after the talk.  All Speaker Series meetings are free and open to the public.  There is an optional light lunch catered by Debbi Covington at 11:30 for $10. For more information contact: Pamela Ovens-President sail@singlestar.us or call 843-785-2767 www.beaufortcountyhistoricalsociety.org.

<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>Beaufort Irish Festival to be held at Habersham</b>

Many would-be-Irish (and some who are Irish) join in this joyous celebration of Irish history, music, food, and culture featuring an ‘Evening in Ireland’ in conjunction with the Beaufort Irish Festival on Friday, March 1 from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Habersham Marketplace. The evening street festival, as a part of the ongoing First Friday series sponsored by 94.5 the Coast and Butler Chrysler Dodge Jeep, will feature authentic Irish music by award winning entertainer Frank Emerson and local favorite Billy Drysdale. An array of fine Irish foods such as cottage pie, corned beef, and Irish stew will be served from select Marketplace restaurants along with pints of Murphy’s Irish Ale. Join your friends on the street with a pint or glass of wine and tap your feet to the sounds and culture of Ireland.

<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.

<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.
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