SATURDAY

Food giveaway

Anyone in need may pick up 2 pounds of pinto beans and 3 pounds of rice from 9-11 a.m. Saturday at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 207 E. Washington St. No questions asked. No names taken.

Chili Challenge

The 29th annual Hospice of Limestone County Chili Challenge will be 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at Athens High School’s gym. Cost is $10. Tickets available at the door. Ticket price includes sampling each challenger’s chili, lunch, entertainment, bidding on silent auction items, and purchasing items from the bake sale.

Standing Tall with Jordan benefit

Limestone Cares presents the Standing Tall with Jordan barbecue dinner and cake auction benefit at 5 p.m. Saturday at the West Limestone Volunteer Fire Department, 28500 Alabama 99, Elkmont. A $15 ticket includes a full barbecue meal and a bid number for the cake auction. Event proceeds go toward the medical expenses of 14-year-old Jordan Haggermaker who is being treated for a curvature of her spine from idiopathic scoliosis. Ticket information: 256-206-2480 or info@limestonecares.org.

Black History Extravaganza

Alabama Democratic Conference will host a Black History Extravaganza at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Round Island Creek Missionary Baptist Association Mission Center, 13829 Lucas Ferry Road, Athens. Extravaganza will include a brunch, skit, recitations and poetry. More information: Mike Bailey 256-874-0565.

MONDAY

VVA spaghetti day

Vietnam Veterans of America, chapter 511, will hold an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Monday at the VVA building, 17915 W. Elm St. The $7 meal includes spaghetti, coleslaw or salad, garlic bread, dessert and drink. Take out or eat in. Free entertainment during dinner. Proceeds benefit the VVA scholarship fund for local students. Call ahead for group carryouts or more information at 256-431-3213.

TUESDAY

Chicken stew

The American Legion Post 49 monthly chicken stew is 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday. Cost is $5 with one dessert to eat in or for per quart carryouts or delivery. Containers provided. Quantities are limited. Carryout desserts are 25 cents each. Free delivery to offices or job sites within Athens city limits. Delivery orders or to reserve carryouts: 256-230-6233. The Post is at 124 Cloverleaf Drive behind Staples.

Used book sale

Friends of the Athens-Limestone Public Library will hold a used book sale from 10:15 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. Tuesday at the library, 603 S. Jefferson St. More information: 256-232-1233.

Chapel Talk

A free Chapel Talk on “Overcoming Obstacles to Joy” will be held at noon Tuesday in Athens State University’s Founders Hall chapel, 300 N. Beaty St., Athens. The discussion will include how to choose, keep and spread joy every day regardless of situations. The Curtis Coleman Center for Religious Studies and Ethics is hosting the event.

Scale Back meeting

Limestone County Health Department and Scale Back Alabama are hosting a free public informational meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the health department community room, 20371 Clyde Mabry Drive, Athens. Entrance/parking at back of the building. Eugenia Clement, a registered dietician, will speak on food choices, portion sizes and healthy choices when dining out.

THURSDAY

Book discussion

A commentary and open discussion at noon Thursday in Athens will focus on “Joy,” a new book co-authored by Bishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama. The two friends are considered by some to be two of the most joyful people on the planet. The book centers on finding enduring happiness and joy in the face of life’s challenges. The free event will be held at the Center for Lifelong Learning, 121 S. Marion St., in downtown Athens.

ONGOING

Athens tax assistance

Free income tax return preparation, by RSVP volunteers in Athens, is underway for low income people, people with disabilities and the elderly. The location is First Baptist Church Youth Activity Center at the corner of Pryor and Clinton streets. The schedule is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Walk-ins only. No appointments. The service will also be available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays from March 2 through April 13.

Ardmore tax assistance

The RSVP group are filing taxes free for seniors and lower income tax bracket people through April 12 at the Ardmore Public Library, 25347 Main St., Ardmore, Tennessee. Call the library at 931-427-4883 for an appointment.

Nutrition assistance program

RSVP is still taking applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for people age 60 or older. This program helps low-income individuals buy food they need to stay healthy. Call RSVP at 256-232-7207 Mondays through Thursdays for an appointment to complete the application.

Sign-ups needed for Elk River cleanup

Sign-ups for the Elk River Canoe & Kayak Trail Cleanup are underway. Interested parties can join KALB and other volunteers Saturday, March 4 to clean up Elk River, both on the water and surrounding land areas. Supplies, door prizes and a complimentary lunch provided. No trash weighing or hauling. Work until noon and your name will be entered into a drawing for prizes. More information, register and reserve a lunch at 256-233-8000 or email KALBCares@gmail.com.

MEETINGS

• Positive Look. Positive Look support group for the blind, visually impaired and families and friends, meets from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 17, at Athens Recreation Center. The speaker will be Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely. Bring a food item to share. More information: Loretta Bryan 256-552-0747 or Preston Reynolds 256-777-1140.

• NAACP. Limestone County NAACP will hold its February meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce building, 101 N. Beaty St. in Athens. More information: Wilbert Woodruff 256-227-8489.

• Friends of Archives. Friends of the Limestone County Archives will hold its quarterly meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Athens-Limestone Public Library, 603 S. Jefferson St. An update will be provided on Archives renovations. The public is invited. More information: 256-233-6404 or foa_44@yahoo.com.

Limestone Ledger is a list of events hosted by nonprofit organizations. Items must be submitted in writing and are listed up to six days to include the day of the event. Email submissions to ed@athensnews-courier.com, fax to 256-233-7753 or bring to The News Courier, 410 W. Green St., Athens.