Researchers in Athens, Ga. -- my hometown -- outfitted 60 cats with "critter cams" so their activities could be filmed.

Before the cats were let out each morning, owners snapped on breakaway collars and at night took them off and downloaded the footage. These were the smallest mobile systems to record animal behavior ever made.

The cats, it was discovered, wandered everywhere and engaged in very risky pursuits. They crossed busy streets, explored very tiny spaces, drank dirty water and tasted all kinds of things. They caught and ate lizards, snakes, frogs, bugs and birds.

Male cats were more likely to take bigger risks, and female cats and kittens were more cautious.

The researchers will present their findings at a conference in Portland, Oregon. I would love to see the films. I bet those cats had lots of fun.

* The Dock Street Theater in Charleston and the Footlight Players will present "Porgy and Bess." The Dock Street Theater is wonderful venue for this classic opera. "Porgy and Bess" was written by George and Ira Gershwin and Dubose Heyward.

Luke Peeples, his father built my store, was Bluffton's composer of folk music. Luke was visited by this famed trio while they were writing their opera. Luke was known as an expert on the Gullah dialect, and they needed his advice on wording.

"Porgy and Bess" runs through Aug. 19. Details: 843-722-4487, www.footlightplayers.net

So stop by to visit with Nancy, have a sip of tea and shop the tag sale -- all for a great cause.

* What were your favorite sports at the Olympics? I thought dressage was beautiful. Those horses and riders were so graceful. Every athlete was wonderful. Imagine living and breathing a sport for most of your life. What an amazing time for all of the participants.

Babbie Guscio is the social columnist for The Bluffton Packet. She can be reached at The Store on Calhoun Street.