West Ashley Briefs

Talent Hunt '08 set for Burke High

Mu Alpha chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity will hold Talent Hunt 2008 at 5 p.m. Saturday at the band room of Burke High School. Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend.

The Talent Hunt Program is one the fraternity's nationally mandated programs sponsored by the local chapter as a public service to the community to identify and recognize young musicians for their achievements at the local level.

The vocal or instrumentalist winner will represent the Charleston's Mu Alpha chapter at its district Talent Hunt to be held in conjunction with its 63rd annual Sixth District meeting April 17-20 at the Embassy Suites Hotel Airport/Convention Center in North Charleston.

High school students from the tri-county area are invited to participate by completing an application. Applications may be obtained by contacting your high school's band or chorus director or by calling 843-851-5405.

For more information, contact Larry W. Whaley, chairman of the talent hunt committee, at 843-851-5405 or 843-764-2958.

Exchange Auxiliary to meet Thursday

The Charleston Exchange Club Auxiliary will hold its regular meeting at noon Thursday at the Charleston Country Club. Robin Hardee will be guest speaker, and the topic will be "Angels for Soldiers."

Women's History Month spotlight

Women who have succeeded in education and government will share their stories during Women's History Month at The Citadel.

"Women as Leaders: Lessons Learned for Success" will kick off what is to become an annual symposium sponsored by The Citadel Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice.

The symposium and panel discussion is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Graham Copeland Auditorium in Grimsley Hall. It is free and open to the public.

Panelists will include women in leadership from local governmental agencies as well as The Citadel, Medical University of South Carolina and Trident Technical College. Panelists are Elise Davis-McFarland, vice president for student services, Trident Technical College; Anne Kilpatrick, professor of health administration, MUSC; Tamara Curry, Charleston County probate judge; and Erica Carter, program director of It's Up To Me teen pregnancy prevention program and adjunct professor of public policy The Citadel.

For more information contact department head Gardel Feurtado at 953-2037 or Roberta Tracy, visiting professor of political science and African-American studies, at 953-5072.

Preservation Society book signings

The Preservation Society of Charleston announces a book signing for two books, "Ramblings of a Lowcountry Game Warden" and "Vital Rails," at the Society's Book & Gift Shop, 147 King St. The signing will be from noon to 2 p.m. March 15. During that time the public will have the opportunity to meet authors Ben McC Moise and H. David Stone Jr. and have them dedicate or sign their books. Light refreshments will be served during the event. There is no charge for admission and nonmembers are welcome to attend. For more information, contact the Preservation Society at 843-722-4630 or e-mail preserve@preservationsociety.org or visit our Web site at www.preservationsociety.org.

Clock and alarm reminder from CFD

The Charleston Fire Department urges all residents to check home smoke alarms on a regular basis. This is part of a national initiative that urges all Americans to adopt a simple, lifesaving habit: changing smoke alarm batteries when changing clocks twice a year.

Changing the batteries twice a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce tragic deaths and injuries from fire. Working smoke alarms cut nearly in half the risk of dying in a home fire.

Recent national surveys conducted by the fire service have found that nearly half of the smoke alarms checked did not work.

The Charleston Fire Department recommends homeowners install and maintain smoke detectors, maintain and properly use gas and electrical appliances, never leave food cooking unattended, turn off burner if you leave, keep matches and lighters away from children, never leave candles burning unattended, and develop and practice a fire escape plan to prevent fires, injuries and deaths.

For more information, contact Mark Ruppel, fire department public information officer, at ruppelm@ci.charleston.sc.us.