<b>Beaufort chamber to hold </b><b>Business After Hours</b>

The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business After Hours on Thursday, Nov. 10, at Summit Place of Beaufort at 1119 Pick Pocket Plantation Drive in Beaufort. The event will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. There will be drinks, food and great company at this free monthly networking event.

The chamber encourages members to bring plenty of business cards for networking and a chance to win a door prize. For more information, email Carolyn Rennix at Carolyn@beaufortsc.org.

<b>Bluffton chamber to </b><b>hold 2nd annual ball</b>

The Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce will hold its second annual ball on Saturday, Jan. 28.

The ball, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance and Covert Aire, will be held at Pinckney Hall in Sun City.

Last January began a new tradition of awarding local Bluffton area businesses with Golden Oysters during a gala, named the Bluffton Ball. Over 200 local residents, business owners and community leaders attended to enjoy an evening of live music, dinner from a local food truck and awards honoring such individuals and organizations as Emmett and Theodora “Teddy” McCracken, Nate Pringle, Ida Martin, Lily Coleman, Sea Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Beacon Insurance, Programs for Exceptional People and more.

Nominations can be made by the public through Wednesday, Nov. 30 in 12 categories:
<ul>
	<li style="padding-left: 30px;">Business of the Year: any number of employees</li>
	<li style="padding-left: 30px;">Small Business of the Year: fewer than 10 employees</li>
	<li style="padding-left: 30px;">Regional Economic Impact Award</li>
	<li style="padding-left: 30px;">Non-Profit Organization of the Year</li>
	<li style="padding-left: 30px;">Business Startup of the Year</li>
	<li style="padding-left: 30px;">Outstanding Person of the Year</li>
	<li style="padding-left: 30px;">Lifetime Achievement Award</li>
	<li style="padding-left: 30px;">Professional Education and Development Person of the Year</li>
	<li style="padding-left: 30px;">Good Heart Award</li>
	<li style="padding-left: 30px;">Rookie of the Year</li>
	<li style="padding-left: 30px;">Memorial Award</li>
	<li style="padding-left: 30px;">Artist of the Year</li>
</ul>
Honorees do not have to be a Chamber of Commerce member, and they only need to live, work or influence areas such as 29909, 29910, 29927 or 29936. There is an online submission form at bit.ly/BBAs2016. Visit blufftonbusinessawards.com and blufftonball.com for more information. Tickets for the ball can be purchased by visiting bba2017.eventbrite.com.

<b>East West Communities </b><b>to celebrate development</b>

The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a celebration of East West Communities’ grand opening of its City Walk development at 507 Water St. in Beaufort with a ribbon cutting.

The event will be held from 4:30-7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. It will feature live music by The Cluster Shucks, a Lowcountry boil, an opportunity to meet the builders and a tour of the newly furnished model in downtown Beaufort.

City Walk is located in historic downtown Beaufort. The creekside community is within walking distance to shops, restaurants, parks, art galleries and museums. City Walk features 49 single-family homes in a variety of floor plans starting in the upper $300,000s. Visit www.citywalkbeaufort.com.

<b>Williams is named 2016 Chamber Executive</b>

Blakely Williams, president and CEO of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, has been named the 2016 Chamber Executive of the Carolinas (CCEC) by the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (CACCE).

The CACCE Certified Chamber Executives of the Carolinas exemplify excellence and professionalism in their chamber executive roles. The designation is based upon experience, service to CACCE, training, continuing education and personal achievement. There are currently 20 active Certified Chamber Executives of the Carolinas.

<b>Calhoun’s celebrates </b><b>with ribbon cutting</b>

<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/calhouns.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-30419"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-30419" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/calhouns.jpg" alt="calhouns" width="229" height="305" /></a>

The Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce celebrated Calhoun’s with a ribbon cutting attended by chamber members, town staff and community members. Calhoun’s is “a proper Southern tavern” with classic cocktails and Southern flare.

Co-owners Jon Rinaldi and James Groetzinger cut the ribbon. Joey Rinaldi who also is a co-owner, could not attend. Groetzinger and Joey Rinaldi operate the Warehouse in Charleston, a hip downtown hangout. Jon Rinaldi was the former own of Vineyard 55 previously located in downtown Bluffton.

Calhoun’s offers a wide variety of classic Southern cocktails, such as whiskey sours and mint juleps, and a chef-driven menu of Lowcountry favorites.

For more information, contact Calhoun’s at 843-757-5464.

<b>Friday After Five coming to Beaufort on Nov. 4</b>

The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold First Friday After Five from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4. This event is an opportunity to shop, dine and enjoy downtown Beaufort. Many merchants will stay open after 8 p.m.

“Grab a friend and head downtown to explore and support our charming local downtown shops, restaurants and art galleries,” according to the chamber. “Enjoy tasty refreshments and local live music.”

For more information, visit downtownbeaufort.com.