• An Obama Inaugural Celebration organised by the charity Passports to College will take place at the Wine Cellar at the Fairmont Southampton on Thursday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The semi-formal event will feature a silent auction, hors d'oeuvres and dancing. Tickets are $35 and all proceeds will benefit students in Bermuda. For more information call Amani Flood on 732-6547 or Robin O'Neil on 735-7277.

• Passports to College is also holding a fundraising event in Maryland which Bermudian students studying in the US are invited to attend. The Silhouettes of a Dream Inaugural Ball is at Tantallon Country Club in Fort Washington on January 20 from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $75 and available from Ms O'Neil on 240-691-4360 or from www.passportstocollege.org or www.pinkrosesfoundation.com.

l Elbow Beach Hotel is holding an inauguration lunch on January 20 from 11.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ocean Suite. The $65 price includes a red, white and blue Obama cocktail, buffet lunch and a big screen broadcast of the live inauguration activities. Call 236-3535 or email ebbda-concierge@mohg.com to find out more.