<b>First Friday offers </b><b>music, shopping</b>

First Friday, a fun event in downtown Beaufort, is being held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, July 1. The event is sponsored by the Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce.

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

<b>Shrimp fest set </b><b>for July 14-15</b>

The Bluffton Sunset Party Series continues with its third big event this summer. The May River Shrimp Festival is a two-day feast of local shrimp, seafood, arts and music. The May River Shrimp Festival will be held from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, July 14, and from 4-9 p.m. Friday, July 15, at the Bluffton Oyster Factory Park. Entertainers scheduled to perform include Executrix &amp; The Chiggers on Thursday with Souls Harbour and The Horan Brothers Band on Friday.

“The May River Shrimp Festival is our marquee Bluffton Sunset Party," said Mark Weisner, event organizer. “This year’s festival will begin Thursday with the Arts Fair where local artists will be showcasing and selling their artwork to the public.”

There will also be a Kidz Zone, a craft beer garden and more.

“Our shrimp and seafood festival is a celebration of the summer in Bluffton and all of the things we love about it: delicious shrimp and seafood caught in our backyard and a chance to enjoy it with our friends, family and neighbors on the beautiful backdrop of the May River with amazing sunset views,” said Weisner.

All ages are welcome. Come by boat, bike or golf cart. Fest-goers are welcome to party with their (leashed) pooch and to bring lawn chairs. No outside food or drinks will be allowed. Aside from the Kidz Zone, additional activities for children include face painting and more. A percentage of proceeds from the Bluffton Sunset Parties go to benefit local area charities. Tickets are $5 at the door, while children 12 and under get in for free. Bluffton Sunset Parties are sponsored by River Dog Brewing Company, Coastal States Bank, Sport Clips, Advanced Integrated Controls, Bare Foot Wines, Hilton Head Honda, Angry Orchard Cider and I2 Recycle. Visit www.blufftonsunsetparty.com or call Bear Foot Sports at 843-757-8520.

<b>Watercolorist featured at gallery through August</b>

Mastering the fundamentals and various approaches to watercolor art is challenging and rewarding. Michael Pearson, the Beaufort Art Association’s current featured artist, has truly mastered her technique. An exhibit of her work will feature the reasons Pearson calls watercolor the most fun artists to work with.

“For the Love of Watercolor – the Art of Michael Pearson” runs through Aug. 27 at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery, 913 Bay St. in Beaufort. An opening reception will be held to coordinate with Beaufort First Fridays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, July 1. The public is invited to attend. Visit www.beaufortartassociation.com.

<b>Book signing to be held at McIntosh Book Shoppe</b>

Author Tom Spence, a resident of Burns Flat, Okla., will sign copies of his book, “Acceptance of Authority,” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 8, at McIntosh Book Shoppe, 917 Bay St. in Beaufort. The book “gets to the root of so many problems that we face in this nation. At the core of conflict after conflict is the unwillingness to accept the authorities of this age,” according to a release.

<b>Library to hold </b><b>variety of events</b>

Following are upcoming events at the Beaufort Branch Library at 311 Scott St. in Beaufort:

• Move, Move, Move Storytime!: 10 a.m. Friday, July 1; an interactive family concert with Nashville singer-songwriter Miss Lynn. Geared towards ages 2-9 with  an adult caregiver.

• Color Me Happy Adult Coloring Club: 2:30-4 p.m. Tuesday, July 5; relax with coloring, music, friends and snacks.

• Family Movie Matinee: 3 p.m., Monday, July 11; watch a popular sports movie with your family. Call the branch at 843-255-6435 for the title.

• Hip Hop for Beginners: 5 p.m. Thursday, July 14; learn basic hip hop dance moves from Beaufort’s own local instructor, Kimani Carpenter of the Larew Dance Centre. Teens of all levels of dance welcome. Space is limited and registration is required. Call 843-255-6435.

<b>Zentangles, more </b><b>at St. Helena library</b>

Following are upcoming events at the St. Helena Branch Library at 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road on St. Helena:

•  Zeke Wilson Talk and Book Signing: 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 6; Zeke Wilson, boxer and author of the “Eighth Round,” will appear for an author talk and book signing.

• Internet Safety for Adults: 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 12; learn how you can protect yourself online, how to set up email and how to safely open and send attachments or save.

• Zentangles: Noon Saturday, July 16: Learn to relax your mind and bring out your creative side with Zentangles. Participants will learn about what they are and create some Zentangle tiles of our own.

• Getting to know your iPad: 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 12; learn how to set an iPad up, back it up and much more.

<b>St. Helena church </b><b>to hold Bible School</b>

St. Helena Baptist Church, located at 1608 Sea Island Parkway, is holding its  Vacation Bible School from 6-8:30 p.m. Monday, July 11, through Friday, July 15. Children in grades 3-6 are welcome. During the week the children will be taught scriptures, a Bible story, crafts, music and served a light meal. On Friday night the children are encouraged to bring their families to enjoy a review of what they learned and enjoy some refreshments and fellowship. Call Shannon Durrance, VBS director, at 843-812-5674.

<b>Tidewater Hospice offers support groups, more</b>

Tidewater Hospice is offering the following programs:

• Bereavement Group: 5-6 p.m. Thursdays, 10 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Suite A, Bluffton; 843-757-9388.

• Caregiver Support Groups: 10:30 a.m., last Thursday of each month, Brookdale Hilton Head Court, Hilton Head; 10-11 a.m., last Wednesday of each month, Sun City, Bluffton; 10-11 a.m., second Monday of each month, Bloom at Belfair, Bluffton; 4 p.m., third Wednesday of each month, Bloom of Bluffton, Bluffton. For details on these groups, call 843-757-9388

• Benton House: Adult Talk series on various informational topics relating to the geriatric population at noon, first Monday of every month, 8 Hampton Lake Drive, Bluffton, 843-757-3111.

Additionally, Tidewater Hospice is looking for administrative and patient care volunteers to assist in Lowcountry locations. Call Corrie VanDyke at 843-757-9388.

<b>Public invited to join </b><b>dolphin research</b>

Dolphin research excursions are being offered every Wednesday and the second Saturday of the month at the Calhoun Street dock at the end of Calhoun Street, adjacent to The Church of the Cross in Bluffton. This is a unique opportunity to go on a two-hour scientific research cruise with the Coastal Discovery Museum to study acoustic communication between resident dolphins in the May River and their prey. The cost is $55 per person (ages 10 and older only) and reservations are required. Call 843-689-6767, ext. 223.