Lecture looks at Atlantic Coast shorebirds
A special LCMNA Lecture about the Hemispheric Conservation of Atlantic Coast Shorebirds will be held Friday, April 27 at TCL, 921 Ribaut Building 12, Beaufort. Social at 5:30 p.m., lecture at 6:30 p.m. Open to the public. The ecosystems of the world are linked by birds, and nowhere is that more apparent than the Atlantic Coast, where some shorebirds nest and rear their young, while huge flocks of other species pause to refuel on their long treks to their breeding grounds in the Arctic.  Stephen Brown, Ph. D., Director of Shorebird Science at the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, will discuss the research and conservation work conducted at Manomet, focusing on this imperiled group of birds that depend on coastal habitats like those of South Carolina to survive.

The Lending Room has Spring Clean for Joy
The Lending Room is again sponsoring their SPRING CLEAN FOR JOY, a Yard Sale where everything is free, this Saturday, April 28, 8 to 10 a.m. at 263 Brickyard Point Rd South, Lady’s Island. Donations of books, bedding, clothing, household items, decorations, tools, furniture and, shoes for giveaway can be dropped off at 263 Brickyard Point Road South up until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 27. The Lending Room receives used medical rehab equipment and shares it with others in the community for their long and short term needs. For more information, call Carolyn Roos at 524-2554.

Lowcountry Patriots host NRA banquet
Join the Lowcountry Patriots as they host a special benefit for the nonprofit NRA Foundation, Saturday, April 28 at Beaufort’s Quality Inn. Live and silent auctions plus games and door prizes. Come away with fine firearms and shooting gear. Enjoy an evening of fun, friends and barbecue by chef Bob Brower. Proceeds support youth shooting sports, firearms education, JROTC, women’s safety classes, wildlife conservation and shooting range development. Doors open 5:30 p.m.  Details: 843-263-3671/ skip82965@hotmail.com  Tickets $30 (age 16 and under $15), available at Port Royal Gun &amp; Pawn or online at www.friendsofnra.org.

Clergy members invited to discuss education
Members of the clergy from Beaufort County are invited to attend an Ecumenical Partners meeting with Superintendent Valerie Truesdale on Thursday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. at the Beaufort County Disabilities &amp; Special Needs Office, 100 Clear Water Way in Beaufort. The building is located off Castle Rock Road between Hwy 170 and Grober Hill Road.  Ecumenical Partner meetings are held twice a year with the superintendent to further communication and discuss issues as they relate to the children of Beaufort County. Please RSVP to Carol McMillan at 322-2306 or carol.mcmillan@beaufort.k12.sc.us.

Fripp Audubon holds migration field trip
Join fellow birders Friday, April 27 for a uniquely enjoyable day filled with fascinating Lowcountry nature experiences. Expert Ken Scott will lead this Fripp Audubon-sponsored field trip to Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, where participants can expect to see migrating birds flying through species that have arrived to nest. Meet at the Lady’s Island McDonald’s at 8:30 a.m. Bring lunch, bottled water, insect repellent, camera and binoculars. The trip is limited to Fripp Audubon Club members. Please RSVP to Pete Richards, 843-441-2153 or pete.richards@comcast.net and visit http://www.islc.net/audubon.

Presentation reveals Red Knots migration
Fripp Audubon presents Dr. Al Seegars, Coordinator of the ACE Basin National Estuarian Research Stewardship. He’ll describe a hard-to-believe-but-true wildlife drama played out on our Beaufort barrier islands. Red Knots migrate from Southwest Argentina to nesting areas in the Arctic — and back — 18,000 miles roundtrip. Lacking an aerial refueling capability, Red Knots time their landfall on our coast just in time to feed on fresh-laid horseshoe crab eggs. Islands like Fripp are key spawning sites for horseshoe crabs. These living fossils occupy a vital niche in our coastal ecology AND play a lifesaving role in human biomedicine. Everyone is welcome to enjoy this awesome tale on Thursday, April 26, at 7 p.m. at Fripp Island Community Centre. Contact Pete Richards, 843-441-2153 or email pete.richards@comcast.net and visit http://www.islc.net/audubon.

Tidal Creek Fellowship has annual yard sale
Tidal Creek Fellowship Church is holding its annual yard sale on Saturday, April 28 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2522 Boundary Street (the OLD Nissan and Palmetto Pre Owned Building across from Fast Freddie’s Pawn Shop) as a fundraiser for its student ministries. Drop off times are April 23-25 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Presale time is Friday, April 27 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. If you donate $100 in items or more, the church will give you two tickets to the presale so if you want to be the first to shop, here is your chance. Check out www.tidalcreek.net or www.yourethos.com for more details.

Sea Island Fly Fishers club has meeting
Wading for Redfish, this is the season.  The May 9 program for the Sea Island Fly Fishers will feature John Holbrook, the club’s Vice President. John is the club expert on wading and will share his expertise on what is considered “a gate-way drug” to saltwater fly fishing.  Tailing redfish are already being caught and the fiddler crabs have made an early appearance.  The public is invited to join us at Bay Street Outfitters in Beaufort, 6 p.m. for a social hour and program at 7 p.m. A fly tying demo will be conducted during the social hour and free refreshments are offered.  For more information on the club visit www.flyfishingbeaufort.com, or call Jack Baggette at 522-8911.

St. Peter’s school has annual golf fundraiser
Come one, come all.  The St. Peter’s school annual golf fundraiser will be held on Saturday, April 28 at Sanctuary Golf Club on Cat Island with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Cost per player is $85 and this includes lunch, golf and a highly sought after St. Peter’s Discount Card (cost $10, value ... a lot more). Ample  prizes will  be awarded. To register, contact Rob Wilson at 703-966-5710.

Black Chamber of Commerce has event
The Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce (BCBCC) will have its First Friday Networking Event from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 4, at Roastfish &amp; Cornbread located at 70 Marshland Road on Hilton Head Island.  There will be drawings, prizes, and refreshments.  Open to the public.  The cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. For more information call 843-986-1102.

Lowcountry Autism Foundation Spring Fling
Lowcountry Autism Foundation’s Fifth Annual Spring Fling is under way and event organizers are in need of additional items for the live auction. All of the proceeds provide direct support and evaluation services to the many families affected by autism in the Lowcountry. The Spring Fling will take place at 6 p.m. May 12 at the Port Royal Clubhouse on Hilton Head Island. The evening is semi-formal/cocktail attire and will include live entertainment, dinner, dancing and a silent auction. Tickets are $75 per person. LAF is a local, volunteer based, non-profit corporation dedicated to supporting individuals and families living with autism in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton Counties and the surrounding areas.  Its primary mission is to provide autism service and advocacy support to individuals and families who face the challenges of living with autism. To donate items to the silent auction, call 843-342-9000. For more information about the event or for tickets, please contact event co-chairs Janet Williams, Bina Patel,  or Meredith DiMuzio at 843-342-9000.

Black chamber to hold free cancer screenings
The Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce and the American Cancer Association announces free cancer screenings, mammograms and pap smears.  Women between the ages of 47- 64 years old and are without insurance (no Medicaid or Medicare) might be able to take advantage of this program if they meet the income qualifications.  Anyone who qualifies must take advantage of this opportunity before June.  Interested, call 800-227-2345 or 843-812-4374.

YMCA community wide prayer breakfast
Beaufort County residents are invited to attend the 4th Annual Community-Wide Prayer Breakfast sponsored by the Wardle Family YMCA and graciously catered by Lorrie Stroud Catering.  This free event will be held at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 3 at the YMCA gymnasium. The special guest speaker this year will be Carl Martin. Carl is a Clemson University graduate dedicated to his service to the Lord.  Moreover, Carl is the Lead Planter of a regional approach to church planting called “Arms around the Triangle” which will, by the grace of God, multiply churches in our region, our state and around the globe. YMCA membership is NOT a pre-requisite to attend this event- all Beaufort County residents are welcome.
This event is by reservation only.  To reserve your seat today or for additional information, please call the YMCA at 522-9622.

Seminar for candidates for public office
The Beaufort County Board of Elections and Registration will hold a seminar for candidates for public office.  The seminar will be held on Wednesday, May 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 15 John Galt Road in Beaufort. For further information, go to www.bcgov.net/vote, or contact the office of the Board of Elections and Registration at (843) 255-6900.