Briefs

Shellfish season to open Sept. 16

Shellfish season will open Sept. 16 for harvesting oysters and clams and will remain open through May 15 unless conditions warrant extending or shortening the seasons.

Season dates apply to both recreational and commercial shellfish harvesting.

Shellfish harvesters may begin gathering oysters and clams on designated areas one-half hour before official sunrise until one-half hour after official sundown.

Maps for these areas are downloadable at the Department of Natural Resources's Web site at http://tinyurl.com/6j4lnl.

Or write to the Marine Resources Division, P.O. Box 12559, Charleston, SC 29422. No. 08-227

Fire departments get $150K in grants

Sen. Lindsey Graham recently announced more than $150,000 in federal grants to fire departments in Moncks Corner and Piedmont.

The funds may be used for training, wellness and fitness programs, the purchase of firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment, and modifications to fire stations and facilities.

The grants awarded include the Moncks Corner Pimlico Rural Volunteer Fire Department, which will receive $49,210, and the Piedmont Fire Department, which will receive $104,202.

The grants are given through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Stroke information weekend planned

Charleston County's Stroke Action Team and the Minority Health Education Network will host Stroke Health Weekend Friday and Saturday.

Several events are planned including the Stroke-Fore-Stroke Golf Tournament at 8 a.m. Friday at the golf course at Wescott Plantation.

An Evening of Jazz with Devone Gary will be at 7:30 Friday night at Trident Technical College.

Tickets are $25.

The Be Good to Yourself Health Expo will be 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at The Church House of Ministries Christian Church, 1737 N. Main St., Summerville.

Famed gospel recording artist Dorothy Norwood will perform at the expo.

For more information, contact Courtney Ellicott at 367-2825 or courtney.ellicott@heart.org.

Toastmasters conference set

The Fabulous Fall Conference of South Carolina Toastmasters will be held Oct. 17-19 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Boulevard, North Charleston.

Toastmasters is a national public speaking organization that promotes communication and improves leadership skills.

More than 200 toastmasters from around the state are expected to attend the three-day conference.

The event will feature clubs, public speaking contests, educational and networking sessions and a culminating banquet.

The Toastmasters 2002 World Champion of Public Speaking Dwayne Smith will be on hand for the conference.

For more information about local toastmasters clubs, visit www.toastmasters.org