<b>SOBA to host Local Color exhibit</b>

The Society of Bluffton Arts Gallery will host Local Color, an exhibit of work by Lauren Terrett. An opening reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 8, at the SOBA Gallery at the corner of Church and Calhoun streets in Bluffton. Call 843-757-6586 or visit www.sobagallery.com.

<b>Penn Center to host </b><b>The Water’s Edge</b>

The Water's Edge, an Exhibit of Work by Diane Britton Dunham, will be on display from Friday, July 8, through Saturday, Oct. 29, at the York Bailey Museum at the Penn Center. An opening reception will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, July 15, with live music by Phil Griffin. Call 843-838-2432.

<b>Shrimp fest set 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>Lions Club to hold </b><b>pancake breakfast</b>

The Beaufort Lions Club will hold a pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at the Sea Island Presbyterian church, 81 Lady's Island Drive. There will be pancakes, eggs, sausage, grits, coffee and juice. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children. There will be a collection box at the breakfast for unneeded eye glasses, hearing aids and cell phones. One of the club’s many projects this past school year was to screen the eyes of more than 5,000 children. Call 843-524-8984.

<b>Veterans job fair </b><b>coming to Port Royal</b>

A VETSHired hiring fair for veterans will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, at AMVETS Post 70 at 1831 Ribaut Road in Port Royal. There will be resume services, career mentorship, information on self-employment, entrepreneur mentoring, VA benefits review and counseling and employment opportunities. Participants can pre-register at www.vetswork.net or by calling 978-973-0025.

<b>Parent Café offered </b><b>at Hope Haven </b>

Hope Haven of the Lowcountry, the local children’s advocacy and rape crisis center, is hosting Parent Café, a parenting support group, at 6 p.m. every Wednesday at CAPA’s Parenting Center. Parent Café engages parents in meaningful conversations about their families and how to strengthen that family by building protective factors. The goals of Parent Café are to: reduce stress/increase peace and well-being, increase parenting knowledge and skills, build protective factors, facilitate meaningful relationships and bonding/community-building, and provide opportunities for parent leadership. Parent Café is open to the public. Participants can register by calling Dee Scott at 843-524-2256 or emailing her at hope20@hopehavenlc.org.

<b>Libraries offer fun, </b><b>informative programs</b>

The Beaufort County Library system provides a wide variety of programming. Here are some upcoming events at libraries throughout Beaufort County:

• Red, White, and Blue Art: Ever wonder what’s inside of a baseball or why some things bounce? This program allows children ages 5 and up to explore the science of sports. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">When/where: 4 p.m. Friday, July 8, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena, 843-255-6540</p>
• Family Movie Matinee: Watch a popular sports movie with your family.
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">When/where: 3 p.m., Monday, July 11, Beaufort Branch Library at 311 Scott St. Call 843-255-6435 for the title.</p>
• Internet Safety for Adults: Learn how you can protect yourself online, how to set up email and how to safely open and send attachments or save.
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">When/where 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, Computer Lab, St. Helena Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road. Call 843-255-6487.</p>
• Live Action Pac-Man: Teens and "tweens," can you outrun the ghosts in this live action version of Pac Man? Get in the game to outrun Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde or it's game over. This program is suitable for children ages 10 and up.
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">When/where: 4 p.m. Thursday, July 14, Bluffton Library, 120 Palmetto  Way, 843-255-6501</p>
• Hip Hop for Beginners: 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 are welcome. Space is limited and registration is required.
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">When/where: 5 p.m. Thursday, July 14, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott St. Contact Cat Williams at cwilliams@bcgov.net or 843-255-6441.</p>
• Wii Pentathlon for Kids: Drop in and compete against your age group in the Wii’s Summer Olympics Pentathalon. This program is for ages 6-11.
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">When/where: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 16, Hilton Head Library, 11 Beach City Road. Contact Greg Crispell at 843-255-6529, gcrispell@bcgov.net.</p>
• Professor Whizzpop: This magic show is for all ages.
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">When/where: 3 p.m. Monday, July 18, Beaufort Library, 311 Scott St. Call 843-255-6435 or email cwilliams@bcgov.net.</p>
<b>Arts Council offers </b><b>glass fusing program</b>

The Beaufort Arts Council will hold Glass Fusing for Beginners – Plates at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 9. In this one-day class, students will learn how to cut glass and assemble it into an artistic pattern that will be fused into an 8-inch square dish that participants can take home and use. Topics to be discussed will include different types of glass, safety, the science of glass fusing and the amazing potential of fused glass. All students must wear closed toe shoes. Safety equipment and glass cutting tools will be supplied. The Beaufort Arts Council is at 916 Port Republic St. in Beaufort. Call 843-379-2787.