<strong>Recycle your tree with Grinding of the Greens</strong>

Beaufort County residents have a chance to help the environment and make good use of their old Christmas trees by taking part in the annual Grinding of the Greens project. With the help of the Keep Beaufort County Beautiful and the Beaufort County Solid Waste Recycling, owners can return their Christmas trees to the land as mulch. This process also saves room at the landfill. Residents can drop off their trees, day or night, at one of the following locations.

• Lady’s Island: Sea Island Parkway next to Huddle House

• Lady’s Island: Pleasant Point Road at the Family Tree Christmas Tree Farm

• Beaufort: Beaufort Plaza near the Plaza Theaters

• Port Royal: The Naval Heritage Park off Ribaut Road

Please remove all ornaments, tinsel, and holiday lights. Mulching will take place Saturday, January 12 between 8 and 11 a.m. Mulch will be given away free of charge to anyone who brings a container to haul it away.

<strong>Black chamber will have Friday networking event</strong>

The Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce will have its First Friday Networking Event from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2013 at the Holiday Inn Beaufort located at 2225 Boundary Street. There will be drawings, prizes, and refreshments.  Open to the public.  The cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.

On Saturday, January 19, 2013 the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce will have its Annual Meeting at the Holiday Inn Beaufort from 9 a.m. - noon. All members are urged to attend.

For more information call 843-986-1102.

<strong>Famous photographer coming to Beaufort </strong>

In the world of nature photography, one name stands out: Charles Glatzer.  He is recognized worldwide as the absolute master of light.  Publisher, write, mentor, teacher, photo entrepreneur, his is legendary.  As one of the most sought-after digital nature photographic instructors, the Photography Club of Beaufort is bringing him to Beaufort on Sunday, January 13 for a comprehensive four-hour workshop.  Special emphasis will be placed in creating images with visual and emotional impact, using creative techniques, compositional elements and light. This workshop will enhance your technical ability and visual sense and take your images to the next level. Registration is limited. Contact john@wollwerthimagery.com or call 379-7716.

<strong>Sign up to become a Red Cross volunteer</strong>

The Red Cross is looking for volunteers and is offering classes (for free) through the Palmetto Service Center.

These classes will enable to train new volunteers and strengthen their volunteer base as resources are extended both locally and nationally.

New Volunteer/Disaster Services Orientation Classes starting in January 2013:

• January 12: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• January 22: 6 to 9 p.m.

• February 13: 6 to 9 p.m.

• March 14: 6 to 9 p.m.

• March 26: 6 to 9 p.m.

April 11: 6 to 9 p.m.

April 23: 6 to 9 p.m.

The classes listed will be held at the Palmetto Service Center at 59 Sheridan Park Circle in Bluffton. Call 843-757-7437 for more information.

<strong>Black chamber to hold small business class</strong>

The Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce in partnership with SCORE will offer a small business overview class.  There will be sessions on Monday, January 14; Wednesday, January 16; and Friday, January 18 at 10 a.m. and at 6 p.m.  All interested persons can attend for information on developing and using business plans as well as financial and marketing plans.  This business development program is designed to help new and established entrepreneurs improve their skills and influence the success of their businesses.  Classes will be held at the chamber office located at 801 Bladen Street, Beaufort.  Interested, call 843-986-1102.

<strong>AARP to offer </strong><strong>safety driving course</strong>

On Friday Jan 25, 2013, an AARP Driver Safety Class will be given at Summit Place Of Beaufort, 1119 Pickpocket Plantation Dr, Beaufort (behind Applebees) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This course is open to drivers age 26 and above. Cost is $14 for nonmembers and $12 for AARP members. Class size is limited. To register, call 843-521-1941. The course teaches proven safety strategies that sharpen skills and build and maintain confidence behind the wheel. A completion certificate is issued for your auto insurance discount.

<strong>Jewelry sale at gallery </strong><strong>to benefit Hope Haven</strong>

Sterling Silver for a Sterling Cause is a Jewelry Sale at The Charles Street Gallery to benefit Hope Haven of the Lowcountry, a nationally accredited not-for-profit children’s advocacy and rape crisis center located in Beaufort. On Friday, January 4 from 4 to 7 p.m., board member Marianne Rothnie and Nancy Sturgis are hosting a sale of sterling, artisan-crafted jewelry to benefit the cause. Rothnie cites the numbers as her motivation: In 2011, Hope Haven saw 466 victims from Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, Colleton and Allendale counties. Of those 466 victims, 70 percent were children.  Money raised at this event will go towards a matching grant challenge to cultivate new donors. Hope Haven provides state-of-the-art child forensic interviews, crisis counseling, victim advocacy, evidence-based mental health treatment, family support, law enforcement partnerships and educational programs. Their mission is to provide comprehensive services that lead to healing for child victims of abuse and adult victims of rape, sexual assault and incest. Wine and cheese will be served at the gallery. For more information, call 843-521-9054, http://www.thecharlesstreetgallery.com, or visit 914 Charles Street, Beaufort.

<strong>Group forum focuses on exercise and Parkinson’s</strong>

Improve your life while living with Parkinson’s Disease by attending a group forum focused on the benefits of exercise and clinical research on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Callawassie Island Clubhouse beginning at 11 a.m. The featured speaker will be renowned movement disorder specialist Dr. Christina Vaughn of MUSC in Charleston. The event is open to anyone who is living with Parkinson’s Disease or who is a caregiver or has a loved one suffering from Parkinson’s. The meeting is sponsored by the coalition of the Beaufort County Parkinson’s Disease Support Groups. Pre-registration is highly recommended. Call 843 505-0175 or e-mail adrienne@hargray.com.

<strong>Presentation to help with difficulty speaking</strong>

Those who have difficulty speaking and projecting their voice may be helped by a presentation by Betsey Cooke, speech language pathologist of Sea Island Rehabilitation, on Thursday, Jan. 3 at 1:30 p.m. Ms. Cooke will discuss the difficulties seniors and Parkinson’s patients face when speaking and the difficulties they encounter perceiving their own voices. She will also offer suggestions on how one can re-adjust their voice to be better heard. The monthly support group meetings are held at Helena House on Paris Avenue in Port Royal (across from the U.S. Post Office) on the first Thursday of every month. 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 Helena House at 843 982-0233 or e-mail rewing@alcco.com.

<strong>Local hospice group looking for volunteers </strong>

Friends of Caroline Hospice is looking for compassionate and caring individuals to assist in a number of different volunteer opportunities: patient family care; retail assistance at the Red Door; office volunteers ; and special event volunteers.  Volunteer training is Wednesday, January 16 and Thursday January 17, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Friends office 1110 13th Street, Port Royal, 29935. Call Jean Keefe at 843-525-6257 or email jean@friendsofcarolinehospice.com.

<strong>You might be able to go down in BBQ history</strong>

A History of Barbecue in South Carolina is being written by Lake High, President of the South Carolina Barbecue Association. He is under contract to The History Press, which wants to distribute this new book in 2013. High is looking for photographs, old newspaper ads, memorabilia, barbecue recollections and other information that will help tell the story of South Carolina barbecue. He will contact you, pick up any materials you may have, make a digital copy and return all materials safely back to the donor. Contact him at Lhigh1@sc.rr.com or at 803-782-9595.

<strong>Exchange Club to host Flapjack Fundraiser</strong>

The Exchange Club of Beaufort will host Flapjack Fundraiser to be held on Saturday, January 19 at Applebee’s Restaurant in Beaufort. Tickets are only $7 each. For more information, call Angel Flewelling at 525-0102 or visit  www.facebook.com/ApplebeesBeaufortSC.

<strong>5K Resolution Run will be on Dataw Island</strong>

The second 5K Resolution Run will be held on Saturday, January 19 at 10 a.m. on Dataw Island to benefit Lowcountry Habitat for Humanity. Register at www.lowcountryhabitat.org. Donation of $25 per person or groups of 5 for $20 each by Jan. 9. For more information, call Habitat at 843-522-3500.

<strong>Beaufort Agility Club offers free month classes</strong>

The Beaufort Agility Club is offering free classes in January for any and all.  The Beaufort Agility Club is a non-profit sporting club sponsored by Beaufort Dog. The free classes will be Saturdays in January at 10 a.m. at 1307 Boundary Street, Beaufort. Contact Kelley@beaufortdog.com or call 812-5394.
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