Features

Do you have a secret longing to showcase your hidden talent?

You and your musical or literary showmanship need be secret no more.

Every month, Jumpin’ Java Espresso Co., 4635 Main St. in Shallotte, showcases singers, musicians and poetry readers alike at its open-mic night.

The next open-mic night is slated to begin at 5 p.m. this Thursday, Dec. 6, at the coffee shop. It will continue until 7:30 p.m. or shortly before 8 p.m., Jumpin Java employee Edith Garcia said.

SHALLOTTE—Recently the Shallotte Police Department received a gift from the daughters of a former police chief.

Ida Ruth Galloway Smith of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Marion Galloway Snipes of Fort Worth, Texas, discovered a portrait of their father, Marion Leon Galloway, that had fallen into disrepair.

According to the sisters, the portrait had been given to the town in the 1970s. They Galloway sisters decided to have it repaired and reframed and to re-present it to the police department.

The Swing Sisters are performing at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College.

The performance is described as a 1940s USO holiday show.

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $27 for adults, $25 for students and seniors ages 65 and older, and $10 for children ages 12 and younger.

For more information, log onto www.bccowa.com or call the box office at 755-7416.

Grissettown-Longwood Fire & Rescue is getting stoked about its seventh annual Christmas Train Show.

The holiday event is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. next Friday, Dec. 7, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8 and Dec. 9, at the fire station at 758 Longwood Road (N.C. 904).

Admission is free.

The show is a fundraiser for the combination department consisting of volunteer and paid firefighters.

Ballet Opera Alliance is presenting its second annual performance of “The Nutcracker” Ballet at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, in Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College.

Ballet Opera Alliance is the first and only Brunswick County group to offer the traditional and complete “Nutcracker,” a full evening of entertainment for the entire family.

New this year is a custom-designed Christmas tree that will grow onstage, plus the Kingdom of Sweets drops, both painted by regional artist Rusty Hughes.

By Sue MacCallum
Special to the Beacon
This year is the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth. There are celebrations around the world to honor this beloved literary genius and philanthropist of 19th century England. However, few may know the following facts about Dickens:

Southport Oak Island Animal Rescue has rescheduled its Harvest Fest for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. this coming Saturday, Nov. 3.

Highlights include trick-or-treat, costumes, a bake sale featuring "pup cakes" donated by Crazy Cake Chicks and lots of great adoptable pets to meet.

SOAR will be selling tickets on a 2013 fishing pass to the Oak Island pier with a $100 gift certificate to the
Flying Fish Cafe. Tickets are $5 each. 

The Hit Men are coming to Brunswick County.

The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 8, at Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College. Doors open at 7 p.m.

The Real “Jersey Boys”—The Hit Men—are bringing their concert tour to Brunswick County. Experience the hits of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s the way you remember them; performed by the original stars of mega hit groups, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Tommy James and The Shondells, Carly Simon, Jim Croce and more.

The psalms found in the Old Testament, the Hebrew Scriptures, have been described, if not defined, as the prayer book of the church. They are passages that cut to the core of humanity, displaying its wonder and worth, its faults and failings. At the same time, they speak of the marvels that occur as human beings speak and listen to God and as God returns the contact by listening and speaking to them. One might accurately comment this particular monologue turned dialogue is sheer poetry. Oral and written, it is, indeed, holy scribbling.