The week ahead for the Myrtle Beach area

THE WEEK AHEAD

WHAT YOU

NEED TO KNOW

Classic tips off

The annual Beach Ball Classic – which brings to town some of the best high school boys basketball players in the country – tips off this week. The tournament begins at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and continues through Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. championship game.

Blood drive on tap

Here’s a quick way to do a good deed and even lose an ounce, at least temporarily: The Sun News is teaming with Time Warner Cable and the American Red Cross in an annual blood drive aimed at keeping adequate supplies on hand during the busy holiday season. Donors can drop by the Red Cross donor center, 7747 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, between noon and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, or make appointments by calling (800) RED-CROSS or at redcrossblood.org and use sponsor keyword “thanks4givingmb.” As a thank you, each donor will receive a ceramic soup bowl.

McGarry memorial

The city of Myrtle Beach remembers Police Officer First Class Joe McGarry at a ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Thursday on the north side of the Ted C. Collins Law Enforcement Center, 1101 N. Oak St. Friends, family and fellow law enforcement officers will mark the anniversary of his death. The public is welcome to attend.

Streep channels Thatcher

Meryl Streep takes on the persona of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “Iron Lady,” which hits theaters Friday. The movie depicts Thatcher’s rise to power, her time in office and the price she paid for her political career. The film also stars Jim Broadbent, Anthony Head and Richard E. Grant.

Get jazzy for 2012

The Gold Key Jazz Society invites everyone to its Denim & Diamonds Gala beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Clarion Hotel in Myrtle Beach. The evening features live jazz and blues bands all night long. Tickets are $85 per person or $160 per couple and include heavy hors d’oeuvres with a carving station, hats and noise makers, a champagne toast and more. For information, contact President Elsie Graves at goldkeyjazzsociety@yahoo.com; call 742-5064, 467-9829 or 467-9828; or visit the website at www.goldkeyjazzsociety.org.

NFL regular season ends

The NFL’s regular season ends Sunday, setting the table for the playoffs, which begin the following week.