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<p><strong>Indivisible Beaufort February meeting</strong></p>
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<p>Indivisible Beaufort’s next meeting is set for 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 25 at the St. Helena Branch Library at 6355 Jonathon Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island.</p>
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<p>Classroom censorship? Transferring public school funds to private and religious schools through vouchers? Harsh penalties for teachers violating restrictive laws? It’s not something from a dystopian novel. It is happening here and now.</p>
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<p>Featured speaker Josh Malkin, Legal Fellow and Legislative Advocate at the ACLU, focusing on public education, will share the latest South Carolina legislative attacks on our public education system and the ACLU’s role in leading the fight against these proposals.</p>
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<p>The event is free and open t the public.</p>
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<p><strong>League of Women Voters February meeting</strong></p>
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<p>The League of Women Voters Beaufort will be hosting a presentation and discussion on the nationally acclaimed book <em>Schoolhouse Burning: Public Education and the Assault on American Democracy</em> by author Derek Black at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25 at Penn Center.</p>
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<p>Black is from South Carolina and is a Professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law. His award-winning book tells the true story of education in the U.S. and the current state of affairs: book banning, censorship and individuals seemingly grabbing control of curriculums, education theories and many other aspects of education.</p>
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<p>Plan to attend and bring a friend. The event is free and open to the public.</p>
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<p><strong>Beaufort awarded $800,000 grant for Bayard St. drainage improvements</strong></p>
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<p>The City of Beaufort has been approved for an $800,000 STA grant to address drainage and flooding issues along Bayard Street in The Point neighborhood.</p>
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<p>The grant, from the Environmental Protection Agency, will allow the City to improve the stormwater infrastructure along Bayard. Among the improvements will be new stormwater pipes installed in the public right-of-way, Project Manager Neal Pugliese said in a news release. Current drainage will be redirected, he added.</p>
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<p>The City will match this grant with $200,000 from its stormwater infrastructure allotment in its American Rescue Plan funds.</p>
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<p>U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham was instrumental in helping the City win approval for the grant, Pugliese said. The City is awaiting EPA guidance on the grant, he said. Once that is received, the City will begin the design and permitting process. Permits will need to be acquired from state and federal agencies.</p>
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<p>The work on Bayard Street is part of an ongoing plan to address flooding issues in The Point. The historic neighborhood has antiquated stormwater pipes and poor drainage flow, which the City is committed to addressing.</p>
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<p><strong>Beaufort History Museum seeks a webmaster</strong></p>
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<p>Beaufort History Museum is currently seeking a volunteer webmaster who will work with the Museum’s Board of Directors and committee leads to manage and maintain the Museum’s website and membership software. The webmaster position requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and exceptional creative skills.</p>
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<p>Although previous experience as a webmaster is not required, a background and understanding of computer science and other technical concepts will be extremely beneficial. The successful candidate should understand basic computer architecture, network security, web development concepts, and the tasks involved in managing digital resources.</p>
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<p>At a minimum, website maintenance involves using the Museum’s membership software (WildApricot/Personify) to:</p>
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<p>– Update existing site content and create new content.</p>
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<p>– Make sure that the site works with different Web browsers, desktop computers, and mobile phones to ensure the optimum user experience.</p>
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<p>– Maintain the membership database.</p>
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<p>– Query and filter membership data to produce customized and filtered member and contact lists.</p>
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<p>– Manage entry of the Museum’s events and calendar of events.</p>
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<p>– Prepare and schedule email blasts to contact lists maintained within the membership software.</p>
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<p>Those interested in pursuing this opportunity should send a summary of qualifications and interests to <a href="mailto:kathryn.mixon@beauforthistorymuseum.com">kathryn.mixon@beauforthistorymuseum.com</a></p>
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<p><strong>Beaufort History Museum has openings for docents</strong></p>
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<p>The Beaufort History Museum has openings for trained docents and will hold a three-day docent training session for interested persons, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., February 28 through March 2 in the Greater Beaufort Port Royal Convention &amp; Visitor's Bureau (CVB) Conference Room, 701 Craven Street, Beaufort. Lunch will be included.</p>
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<p>Docents welcome visitors of all ages from all over the country and world to the Museum, conduct tours, and relate the remarkable 500-plus year history of Beaufort and the Sea Islands during their tour.</p>
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<p>Visit <a href="http://bit.ly/3DQm9uk">http://bit.ly/3DQm9uk</a> to view more details regarding the Museum's expected qualifications for its Docents and the normal duties Docents perform.</p>
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<p>Space is limited and you must register for this event. Visit <a href="http://bit.ly/3x5S0n3">http://bit.ly/3x5S0n3</a> to find the Museum website and register for this event.</p>
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<p><strong>County Council’</strong>sp<strong>lanning, </strong>w<strong>orkshop </strong>s<strong>essions on County Channel</strong></p>
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<p>The Beaufort County Council held its annual strategic planning and budget workshop sessions this past week. County Council used each session to set goals related to transportation infrastructure, employee retention and compensation, parks and recreation, growth, and public safety.</p>
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<p>The planning sessions were held in County Council Chambers Wednesday, Feb. 8 and Thursday, Feb. 9. All the workshop sessions are available to view on <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAyMDkuNzEzMTIyMjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS91c2VyL1RoZUNvdW50eUNoYW5uZWw_YXBwPWRlc2t0b3AmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.HmBR2fspbrlh546vjKD_BgagwwRgraXMj17MwdUOAdE/s/566122596/br/154286211691-l">The County Channel</a> at https://bit.ly/3XCjyuZ.</p>
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<p><strong>Beaufort Republican Women’s Club holding membership drive luncheon</strong></p>
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<p>The Beaufort Republican Women’s Club will hold its annual Membership Drive Luncheon at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 4, in the Carolina Room at the Dataw Island Club, 123 Dataw Drive, St. Helena Island.</p>
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<p>Xiaodan Li, Beaufort County Republican Party’s representative to the South Carolina Republican Party and member of Friends of Liberty, will be the featured speaker. The cost of the luncheon is $38 and is by reservation only.</p>
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<p>The Beaufort Republican Women’s Club is an active organization with more than 100 members. To reserve a seat, please mail a check with the names of those who will be attending to BRWC, P. O. Box 1835, Beaufort, S.C. 29901 before Saturday, Feb. 25. For more information, contact Diane Roney at 843-838-4972.</p>
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<p><em>– From staff reports</em><br></p>
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