Expert to speak about Port Royal Sound
Port Royal Sound is not just a beautiful, bountiful body of water that defines a good part of our Lowcountry geography, but an ecological gem, a combination of ocean and expansive salt-marsh unique in North America. Its high tides, salinity and geology combine to make Port Royal Sound a critical wildlife resource — a varied marine habitat extending inland for 10 miles. Fripp Audubon is fortunate to present leading expert on Port Royal Sound, Dr. Chris Marsh. Dr. Marsh is a biology professor, former Executive Director of the Lowcountry Institute and mentor to SC Master Naturalists.  He’ll explain the vital role of Port Royal Sound and the importance of our continued stewardship, Thursday, March 22, 7 p.m. at the Fripp Island Community Centre. Presentation is free. Meet and greet at 6 p.m. Contact Pete Richards, 843-441-2153 or pete.richards@comcast.net and visit www.islc.net/audubon.

Last sessions in series ‘Returning Catholics’
On Thursday mornings, March 22 and 29, the six-week series for “Returning Catholics” ends with two presentations on the “The Mass.” Deacon Michael Beeler will help participants understand the externals of the liturgy on March 22, at 10:30 a.m. in the main sanctuary of St. Peter Church, 70 Lady’s Island Drive.  Dr. R. Thomas Richard will present the interior significance of the Liturgy to everyday life. Dr. Richard’s presentation will take place in the Adult Ed. Room of St. Peter’s Educational wing.  Both presentations begin at 10:30 a.m. and end at noon. Catholics considering a return to the practice of their faith, as well as those Catholics newly returned, and new converts are welcome. For more info contact deborahm@catholic.org or call 575-3742.

Wine tasting fundraiser for March of Dimes
The annual wine tasting and silent auction event will be held Sunday, March 25 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Emily’s Restaurant and Tapas Bar, 906 Port Republic Street. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple. Proceeds benefit the March of Dimes. For more information, call 843-986-2444.

Jesse Winchester in concert on Fripp
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear famed singer/songwriter Jesse Winchester in concert!  This premier, internationally acclaimed artist will perform at Fripp Island on Sunday, March 25 at 5 p.m. at the Fripp Island Community Center.  Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for students.  Tickets are available at the door.  There’s a free pass for Fripp at the island gate and everyone attending this event gets to meet Jesse at a catered gathering after the performance.  More info 838-6655.
www.islc.net/friendsofmusic.

‘Catholic School Girls’ on stage at ARTworks
“Catholic School Girls” is produced by Misspent Youth Productions and written by Casey Kurrti and will be in the black box theater at ARTworks March 22 - 24 at 7:30 p.m.; March 25 at 3 p.m.; March 29 - 31 at 7:30 p.m.; April 1 at 3 p.m. In this satire of Catholic school life in the 1960s, four actresses play the nuns and the first through eighth grade girls at St. George’s School in Yonkers. An amusing portrait emerges, of girls maturing to the threshold of adolescence as they experience bonds of friendship, reprimands from authority figures, pressures from home, as well as the Beatles, the Addams Family, the Supremes and the election of a Catholic president. The black box theater at ARTworks is in Beaufort Town Center, at 2127 Boundary Street. Tickets are $17 and online at www.ArtWorksInBeaufort.org; Thursdays March 22 &amp; 29 are “Pay What You Can” ($5 minimum.)

AAUW to meet at TCL
The Beaufort Branch of the American Association of University Women will meet on Tuesday, March 27 at 6 p.m. in building 22 at TCL on Ribaut Road. The guest speaker will be Jamie Rivers the Executive Director of AMIkids formerly Beaufort Marine Institute. AMIkids is a residential facility that serves as an alternative to prison for juvenile offenders for their non-violent offenses. For detail contact Diana Steel at 522-2796 or steele.diana@comcast.net.

Doctor to speak on caring for aging seniors
Are you stressed because you are caring for an aging senior citizen? If you are, there is help. Caregiver support services will be the topic Dr. Kurt Gambla addresses at a free seminar on Tuesday, March 27, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Quality Inn in Beaufort Town Center. Dr. Gambla, an internist at Beaufort Memorial Primary Care, will discuss services available to those who are caregivers, and what resources are available.
Also on hand to answer questions will be John Beal of Hospice Care of South Carolina, Arlene Hull of Alzheimer’s Family Services and Eric Fennell of Helena House. Supervised adult care is available with advance notice. Light refreshments will be served. The Quality Inn is located in Beaufort Town Center on Boundary Street/Highway 21 next to Beaufort City Hall. Please call (843) 521-9190 or (843) 812-3695 today for more information and to reserve your seat.

St. Helena has free organ performance
Organist Rhonda Sider Edgington, of Holland, Michigan, will give a free performance at the Parish Church of St. Helena (Episcopal), 505 Church Street, on Friday, March 30 at 7 p.m. This will be the first evening organ recital scheduled by the church as part of its Tricentennial Celebration Spring Concert Series. For more information, contact Pat Gould at patgould@islc.net or 843-522-1712 or visit www.sthelenas1712.org.

Fraternity sponsors annual car wash
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., XI Gamma Lambda Chapter of Beaufort County will sponsor their annual car wash in support of March for Babies- March of Dimes. Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store, 1900 Boundary Street on Saturday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Bay Street Outfitters holds fly fishing classes
One day fly casting classes will be held Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 24 and May 12. Fly tying classes will be on the third Thursday each month at 6 p.m. Please call for details and to reserve your spot. Bay Street Outfitters is located at 815 Historic Bay St. For more information, call 524-5250 or visit www.baystreetoutfitters.com.

Grace &amp; Glory Uptown is giving away chickens!
Chicks for Chicks Event will be held Saturday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at GRACE &amp; GLORY Uptown,  1029 Boundary Street (next to Talbots). Through World Vision (www.worldvision.org) we are donating chickens to hungry families.  Help us reach our goal!
• Every $100 you spend on March 31st we will give a chicken to a hungry family in Africa.
• We are offering a “Pick a Chick” discount 20-50% off one item;
• Food, Fun and Fabulous Fashions
We’re giving away chickens! Why chickens?
• Fresh eggs raise the levels of protein and other nutrients in a family’s diet;
• The sale of extra eggs and chickens can pay for vital basics like rice, milk and school supplies;
• Families can sell the offspring for extra income or share them with other families in need.

Tidal Creek Fellowship holds grand opening
For the past nine years, Tidal Creek Fellowship Church has been meeting in the Coosaw Elementary School gym with two services and most recently moved to a permanent home on 20 acres at 290 Brickyard Point South on Lady’s Island. The attendance has almost doubled in total attendance since the move. The public is invited to a Grand Opening Celebration weekend. Saturday, March 31 from 1:30 - 3:45 p.m. there will be a Children’s Carnival with games and treats for family fun. On Sunday, April 1, there will be three Worship Services at 8, 9:30, and 11:30 a.m. Call Administrative Pastor Jim Riley for details at 843-524-0565.

Come hear bluegrass at Pickin by the River
Pickin by the River (venue is bluegrass, oldtime,country and folk) will be held Saturday, April 7, from Noon  to 5:30 p.m. at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Pickers and listeners are welcome. Bring a chair and join us for the day. There are plenty of places to eat on the waterfront or bring a picnic lunch. No alcohol, no drums, no glass bottles, no charge. Stage show and open jams (throughout the park). Beginners to advanced players are welcome. It’s a great time to hone your talent or just to learn. If you have a group that would like to play on stage, please call Pat at 843-379-9084.

Church to hold Spirit Fill Service ‘The Cross’
A Spirit Fill Service will be held at The Foot Of The Cross on Saturday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m., 168 Martin Luther King Drive, St. Helena Island. For more information, call  Bennie Dudley at 843-838-3909.

Women’s coastal skills weekend clinic
Weekend workshop to expand women’s knowledge of the Lowcountry outdoors! Weekend begins on the afternoon of Friday, April 13 with a Naturalist-guided “Secrets of the Salt Marsh” tour. Twelve educational, hands-on programs will be offered, including a History of the Lighthouse, Birding 101, Cast Netting, Salt Marsh Kayaking, Shell Fishing, Beachcombing, How to Make a Dreamcatcher and more. Meals included, camping accommodations at Hunting Island and a special rate on a hotel in nearby Frogmore available. Event runs from afternoon of Friday, April 13 through afternoon of Sunday, April 15, at Hunting Island State Park, 2555 Sea Island Parkway Hunting Island. The cost is $189 per person, plus cost of accommodations (deadline is April 1, limited to 60 women, 16 and over). Contact for reservations, more information, and accommodations is Amanda C. Wood at 843-838-7437.