<strong>Visit art exhibit at Penn Center museum</strong>

Visit the York W. Bailey Museum &amp; Gift Shop at Penn Center National Historic Landmark District to view the exhibit on “Slavery by Another Name” Paintings &amp; Assemblages.

Dates: December 27 and 30.

Times: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Admission: Adults  $5 &amp; Youth $3

Where: On the historic campus of Penn Center at 38 Penn Center Circle West, St. Helena Island, SC

Contact: 843-838-2474

Visit:  www.penncenter.com.

<strong>YMCA Rockin’ Lock-in will be New Year’s Eve</strong>

The YMCA of Beaufort County is hosting a lock-in for children ages 7-13. The lock-in will be New Year’s Eve on Monday, December 31 at 6 p.m. until 8 a.m. Tuesday, January 1, 2013.

This event will be 14 hours packed full of fun activities for your child including, rolling video game bus, Wii, Tux the Clown, Karaoke, 5-on-5 sports tournaments, swimming, crafts, a midnight talent show and much more!

Parents can expect a fun and safe environment in a fully monitored facility and an experienced staff team.

Kids are asked to bring swim gear, a sleeping bag and pillow.

Stop by the Wardle Family YMCA on 1801 Richmond Ave. in Port Royal to register for this event.  The cost is $25 per child ages 7-13. Call 843-522-9622.

<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.  He also wants to hear from anyone who operated an early barbecue stand or restaurant anywhere in the state. You may contact him at Lhigh1@sc.rr.com or at 803-782-9595.

<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. $65 by December 22.  Late fees apply after Dec. 22. Contact john@wollwerthimagery.com or call 379-7716. www.photoclubbeaufort.com.

<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. The Red Cross has deployed 40 disaster service workers to help with Hurricane Sandy in the Northeast and continues to provide support to those affected by local disasters, such as home fires. In November alone, the organization assisted 153 individuals affected by home fires. Most of the Red Cross workers responding to these incidents are volunteers, trained by the Red Cross. 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 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 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>DNR to hold free hunting days in January</strong>

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is proud to announce the first annual free hunting days Jan. 4-5, 2013. If you ever wanted to experience the thrill of hunting, the relaxation of spending time in the woods or the joy of  a new adventure with family and friends, this is the time to get out there and see all South Carolina’s natural resources have to offer.

Free hunting days allow all South Carolina residents to hunt without a state hunting license or other required permits, to include Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permit, or Migratory Waterfowl Permit. It is important to note that Free Hunting Days are offered by the State of South Carolina and do not waive any Federal requirements for a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting &amp; Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) to hunt migratory waterfowl.Free hunting days are available only to S.C. residents and apply to all lands in which hunting is allowed, to include private lands and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) throughout that state that are not otherwise closed to hunting. The list of open WMAs can be found by visiting the Managed Lands tab of the DNR website at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/mlands/lookup/. Please note that all existing seasons, bag limits and methods of take still apply so check the 2012-2013 Rules and Regulations for more information: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regulations.html.

<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.