Dec. 1--AQUARIUM PARTNERS WITH HABITAT: Perhaps it's the chill in the air or the penguin exhibit on the horizon, but the S.C. Aquarium is going big this holiday season.

For every Family Plus membership purchased, the aquarium will donate a second membership to a local low-income family through East Cooper Habitat for Humanity.

The $135 package includes unlimited visits, free invitations to seasonal events and special discounts for two adults, all listed children younger than 18 and two guests.

Habitat for Humanity, a non-denominational, nonprofit organization, builds homes with an aim to eliminating poverty housing. The aquarium calls its partnership with the group a Families for Families initiative and will apply it to all memberships purchased online, by phone or in person, including renewals and gifts.

One of those free seasonal events included in the membership package will take place this evening from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for current members.

The holiday extravaganza includes food and wine samples from dining mainstays such as Carolina Catering, Cru Cafe and Hyman's Seafood, plus cookie decorating, marshmallow making and doughnut dipping. Oh, and Santa will be on hand for photos.

Members also get 20 percent off gift shop merchandise and free wrapping.

ACE IN THE HOLE: A global golf trade organization spanning 74 countries chose coastal South Carolina as its 2009 Established Golf Destination of the Year for North America.

Members of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators made the selection at an annual conference held in Spain. They based the decision on criteria including customer satisfaction, value and quality.

Shannon Odom of Charleston Golf Inc. and Steve Mays of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday accepted the award in Spain.

PRESS 1 TO BOARD: Some travelers in Chicago, Los Angeles and Orange County, Calif., now can scan their cell phones at the airport instead of toting a paper ticket.

The Transportation Security Administration and American Airlines recently launched a Paperless Boarding Pass pilot program at those three airports. The passes, which passengers can receive by wireless phone or personal digital assistant, include a two-dimensional bar code for security officers to scan at the checkpoint.

Travelers who choose the paperless pass must have Internet-ready devices and can only travel on nonstop or same-plane direct flights to domestic locations.

Reach Allyson Bird at abird@postandcourier.comor 937-5594.

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