Happenings

Concert in the Park set at Daniel Island

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra returns to Smythe Park on Daniel Island at 7 p.m. May 17 for a free lakefront concert.

The concert, in its fourth year, is presented by the Daniel Island Community Fund and will feature a fireworks finale.

Prizes will be awarded for the most elaborate and creative picnic spreads, with setup starting at 5:30 p.m. and judging beginning at 6:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and beverages for picnics. Ted's Butcherblock will offer items for sale, including beer, wine by the bottle and the glass, hot sandwiches and a selection of gourmet-to-go items to add to guests' picnic menus. Treats from Mr. Koolie also will be available for sale.

Admission is free, and parking will be available in the Daniel Island School parking lot on Daniel Island Drive. The rain date is May 18.

Visit www.dicommunity.org or call 971-9816.

Sweetgrass basket class set Saturday

Hampton Plantation State Historic Site and local sweetgrass basketmaker Barbara McCormick will offer a "Sew Your Own Sweetgrass Basket" class at the former rice plantation May 17.

The cost is $30 for participants. Participants are advised to bring bug spray, scissors, a snack and drinking water. The class will be held on the portico of the mansion at 1 p.m.

There is room for 30 participants, and reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations can be made by calling the park office at 546-9631 or by e-mailing greiter@scprt.com. The registration deadline is 4 p.m. May 16.

I'On Garden Tour planned Saturday

The Gardens of I'On Tour will be held 1-5 p.m. May 17 at the I'On neighborhood, off Mathis Ferry Road, in Mount Pleasant.

Tour 10 private gardens in the I'On community and enjoy professional demonstrations on garden design and features. Programs with a tour map will be provided, and parking is available in the neighborhood.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of event. A reception following the tour is included with ticket price. Advance tickets can be purchased at I'On Realty and Abide-A-While Garden Center in Mount Pleasant, Visitors Center in Charleston and Hyams Garden and Accent Store on James Island. Contact www.theiontrust.org or Anne Register at The I'On Trust at 881-7541.

Green Living fest set Friday and Saturday

South Carolina's first Green Living Festival opens noon-7 p.m. May 16 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 17 at the Omar Shrine Convention Center, 176 Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant.

The two-day event is designed to increase awareness and knowledge of Earth-friendly and integrative health care businesses that offer products or services that are good for you and good for the planet.

The Kid's Green Contest entries, sponsored in conjunction with the festival, will be on display. Local school-age children created recycled art or composed an essay titled "What does green living mean to me?" Environmental projects by classes from two local Montessori Day Schools also will be on display.

Special steps have been taken to reduce the environmental footsteps of the event, including recycling bins for plastic, glass and paper. Carbon offsets have been purchased to offset the carbon emissions for the location and for people traveling to the festival. Exhibitors are encouraged to limit waste, recycle and use biodegradable bags. The organic food vendor uses only biodegradable containers, and food waste are given to a local farm for composting.

For a festival program and a $2 off coupon, pick up a copy of Natural Awakenings-Lowcountry.

Call 821-7404 or visit www.nalowcountry.com.

Your Neighbors

Harbor cruise event scheduled Sunday

A sunset harbor cruise aboard the Palmetto Breeze, a 100-passenger sailing catamaran operated by AquaSafaris Inc., will be held 6-8 p.m. May 18 at A-Dock, Charleston Harbor Marina at Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant.

Proceeds from the sailing event will support Rein & Shine Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program. The program serves people with autism, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis and other disabilities.

For individuals with special needs, equine therapy has many physical benefits, including improved muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination and motor development. The students benefit emotionally from the program through increased confidence, and the joy and freedom associated with bonding with and riding the horses.

Food will be provided by Shane's Rib Shack, and beer and wine will be provided by Whole Foods Market.

Availability is limited. Cost is $60 per person. Contact Rein & Shine at 849-0964 to reserve your tickets.

Rein & Shine is accepting students and volunteers for the spring session. Call 849-0964 or visit www.reinandshine.org.

Men's Chorus plans Memorial Day event

The Charleston Men's Chorus will present a concert of the Piccolo Spoleto Special Events Series, its annual Memorial Day Concert., at noon May 26 at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 142 Church St., downtown Charleston.

The program will include service anthems, patriotic songs and other inspiring works to honor the military.

Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Tickets are available at the Gaillard Auditorium, at all Ticketmaster locations and by going to www.ticketmaster.com, or call Ticketmaster of Charleston at 554-6060.

The group has been singing under the direction of Lon H. Shull III since 1994.

Call 720-8505 or go to www.cmchorus.com.

Synagogue presents cantor, composer

As part of Piccolo Spoleto, Brith Sholom Beth Israel Synagogue will present Meir Finkelstein, one of the foremost cantors and composers of contemporary Jewish music, in concert at 7:30 p.m. May 28.

Finkelstein is well-known in the Jewish community as one of the "Three Jewish Tenors." He also has enjoyed a successful career as a Hollywood composer and arranger and has scored numerous television shows, including episodes of "Dallas" and "Falcon Crest." He collaborated with Steven Spielberg on his documentary, "Survivors of the Holocaust."

In Charleston, Finkelstein will sing some of his own compositions, along with operatic pieces and Broadway show tunes.

English translations will be made available for the Hebrew pieces. The synagogue is at 182 Rutledge Ave.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door at the Gaillard auditorium, by calling 554-6060 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Area Library Society to host book lecture

The Charleston Library Society will host Clemson University history professor Rod Andrew Jr. as he discusses and signs copies of his newest book, "Wade Hampton: Confederate Warrior to Southern Redeemer" (UNC Press), at 7 p.m. May 22 at 164 King St., downtown Charleston.

Andrew also is the author of "Long Gray Lines: The Southern Military School Tradition, 1839-1915."

The program is free. Call 723-9912.

Smalls documentary screening planned

The African-American Historical Alliance will present the Charleston premiere of "Congressman Robert Smalls: A Patriot's Journey from Slavery to Capitol Hill," a documentary focusing on the life and accomplishments of Robert Smalls, a South Carolina hero. The documentary produced by Adrena Ifill with DoubleBack Productions was the winner of the "Best Documentary" at the 2007 Arizona Black Film Showcase.

The screening will be held 2 p.m. May 17 at the American Theater, 446 King St. A panel discussion with the producer and several South Carolina historians will be held following the screening. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling 216-0442. Students are free with ID.

All proceeds will go to purchase DVDs of this documentary for South Carolina schools. Call 216-0442.

Forget-Me-Not Ball planned at hotel

The Alzheimer's Association-S.C. Chapter will host its third annual Forget-Me-Not Ball on May 16 at the Francis Marion Hotel in downtown Charleston.

A cocktail hour will begin at 6:30 p.m., with dinner and program following at 7:30 p.m. The benefit evening will feature fine food and beverages, live entertainment provided by the Rick Strickland Band, and silent and live auctions. This year the association will present three awards to a caregiver, volunteer and advocate in the tri-county area. Attire is black tie optional.

Reservations for individual tickets are $150 per guest and can be placed by contacting Cameron Renwick at 460-4145. Sponsorship opportunities also are available.

All proceeds will support the mission of the Alzheimer's Association.

Alzheimer's group to hold conference

Alzheimer's Association, S.C. chapter, will hold its seventh annual Educational Conference, "Living With Alzheimer's: Changing, Growing, Embracing," on May 21 at Charleston Elks Lodge No. 242, 1113 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Charleston.

The conference is sponsored by Ashley River Plantation Assisted Living and Memory Care and The Palms of Mount Pleasant Continuing Care Retirement Community. Author Jolene Brackey is traveling from Iowa to spend two days in the Lowcountry to share her expertise and "Creating Moments of Joy" approach to Alzheimer's care. She will be available throughout the conference to sign copies of her books, which will be on sale.

This conference is an opportunity for caregivers and their families to spend the day, 9:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m., gathering information, learning and sharing with others their experiences. Health care professionals can obtain continuing educational credits. Lunch is provided with additional breaks to talk with sponsors and exhibitors.

Additional speakers will be addressing "Caregiver Support," "Fight the Disease, Not Each Other" and "Driving and Dementia."

To register for the conference, call 571-2641 or go to www.alz.org/sc/in_my_community_education.asp#Conferences.