Saturday

Cheezy 5K

The Calhoun Community College Fine Arts Department is excited to announce its inaugural ‘Cheezy 5K Run’ fundraiser to help financially support its theatre students who are traveling to Edinburg, Scotland to participate in the 2023 International Collegiate Theatre Festival. The run will be held this Saturday, Jan. 28, on Calhoun’s Decatur campus beginning at the Health Sciences Building. Check-in for participants opens at 8 a.m., with the race starting at 9:00 a.m. through 11 a.m. Registration is $25 per runner.

NARFE Chapter 1480 meeting

NARFE Chapter 1480 will meeting Saturday, January 28th at 9:00 a.m. at the Veterans Museum on Pryor Street. Bethany Shockney, President and CEO of Limestone County Economic Development Association will be the guest speaker. Please call Dean Morgan, (256)-233-0248 for information.

Gospel singing

Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2:30 p.m. there will be gospel singing at Pleasant valley Church of Christ, 8395 Upper Snake Rd Athens AL 35614. Everyone is welcome!

Upcoming

Class of 1956 lunch

The Athens High School class of 1956 and friends will meet at Cafe 72 for lunch at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Coffee Call

Coffee Call, hosted by the Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives and sponsored Henry & Marsha White, will take 8-9 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, at our location at 114 W. Pryor Street.

Lunch-n-Learn Health Fair

Central North Alabama Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. invites you to attend our annual Go Red for Women FREE Lunch-n-Learn Health Fair. Cardiovascular Disease is the number #1 killer of women. Pump It Up promotes heart health awareness and is a fun opportunity to learn about heart health, how to reduce your risk of heart disease. Wellness health checks will be available. Attendees will receive a FREE heart healthy lunch.

PUMP IT UP will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the Turner Surles Community Resource Center, 702 Sycamore St NW, Decatur, AL 35601.

Join us at PUMP IT UP and learn about heart health.

8th Annual Black History Celebration

The 8th Annual Black History Celebration will be held at the Beasley Center on February 4. The reception will begin at 5 p.m. and the keynote address at 6 p.m. The theme is “The Next Generation: what are they doing?” The Mistress of Ceremony is Jasamine Byrd.

Book sale

The Friends of the Athens-Limestone Public Library will hold a Special Used Book Sale on Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 9 am until 1 pm at the library, 603 S. Jefferson St. For further information, please call (256) 232-1233.

Gospel Singing

One Voice will sing at Nebo Community Church on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 3:00 p.m.

Understanding Impulsivity in Children

Are you a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling who is caring for your relatives’ children? You are invited to join Kids & Kin!

The training will be held at The Haven at 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Feb. 8.

For more information contact Tammie Hill at (256)-724-2554.

Lecture series

Athens State University and the Coleman Center for Religion Leadership and Culture present the following FREE EVENT via Zoom:

Black History Lecture Series:

Africa and Early Christian Thought February 9 & 16

Introduction to African Religions February 21 & 23

Conducted by Dr. Eric Betts

For more information, please email eric.betts@my.athens.edu

Veterans Breakfast

Please join us for the next monthly Veterans Breakfast on Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 7:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. at the AMVETS Post 21, 22769 Black Road, Athens, Alabama. The Breakfast is open to the public on every second Saturday of the month. It is free to our veterans, first responders, and their families. We ask for a $8.00 donation for all others. Proceeds go to help meet the needs of our veterans and their families.

Breakfast sponsorship opportunities are also available. Please contact the Post Commander if you are interested in sponsoring a breakfast at amvetsalpost21@gmail.com or (256) 444-2793.

Rooted in Grace singing

There will be a singing at Berea Baptist Church with the Rooted in Grace quartet from Pulaski, Tenn., on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Berea’s address is 16779 Lucas Ferry Rd, Athens AL 35611.

Making the Connection Between Math & Art

Are you a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling who is caring for your relatives’ children? You are invited to join Kids & Kin!

The training will be held at The Haven at 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.on Feb. 22.

For more information contact Tammie Hill at (256)-724-2554.

Gospel Singing

Phillips & Banks and the Pylant Family will sing at the Nebo Community Church on Sunday, March 5 at 4 p.m.

Talking to Children About Fear & Violence

Are you a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling who is caring for your relatives’ children? You are invited to join Kids & Kin!

The training will be held at The Haven at 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on March 8.

For more information contact Tammie Hill at (256)-724-2554.

Read. Play. Repeat.

Are you a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling who is caring for your relatives’ children? You are invited to join Kids & Kin!

The training will be held at The Haven at 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on March 22.

For more information contact Tammie Hill at (256)-724-2554.

Ongoing

Google courses

Athens-Limestone County Public Library is a certified ‘Grow with Google’ Partner, and we are offering a series of Google courses that provide free resources and workshop content to help you learn the digital skills that will grow your careers and businesses.

Tuesdays, Jan. 17 – March 28, 10:00 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. To learn more, or to register, please visit www.alcpl.org or contact the library at (256) 232-1233

Genealogy classes

Are you interested in learning how to research your family history? Athens-Limestone County Public Library is hosting a free series of genealogy classes on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from January-March. Basic Genealogy: 10-11 a.m., Intermediate Genealogy: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Call to reserve your seat today! (256)-232-1233

Book club

Join the Athens-Limestone Public Library for a new book club on the third Tuesday of the month. The club meets at 6 p.m. at Athens Alehouse & Cellar.

Free bread giveaway

The Frazier CME Church Ministry will be giving away free bread every Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

Digital Literacy Classes

Athens-Limestone County Public Library will host a series of Digital Literacy Classes in conjunction with Calhoun Community College & Drake State Community & Technical College. Classes will boost your digital confidence & provide you with skills and training needed in today’s job market. Classes are Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon or 1-4 p.m. Call (256) 306-2830 to learn more.

Houston Memorial Library Daily Book Sale

Houston Memorial Library and Museum, 101 North Houston Street in Athens, hosts a book sale daily. The book sale, museum and library are open Monday through Friday and the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bingo

Bingo is running for the public at Decatur Elks Lodge each Monday. Doors open at 5 p.m. with games beginning at 6:30 p.m. No outside food or drink will be allowed. Elks Lodge is located at 2625 Centron Drive SW in Decatur. More information: https://www.loc8nearme.com/alabama/decatur/elks-lodge/6449656/.

After-school feeding program

Women Empowering Women of Alabama, in partnership with FreshWind Christian Fellowship, is offering free meals for students after school. Meals are available 3–5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. More information: Janice Williams, (256) 233-5995.

Food giveaway

Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church’s food pantry will be open 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month at 1911 Hine St., Athens. Patrons must provide proof of at least one of the following: eligibility to receive supplemental food assistance (SNAP/food stamps); eligibility for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; eligibility to receive Supplemental Security Income; income at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level; or special circumstances. Eligibility forms provided at distribution site. Must have valid ID card or driver’s license. Only one distribution per household while supplies last.

Monetary and food donations accepted. More information: (256) 424-5403.

Used book sale

Friends of the Athens-Limestone Public Library host a used book sale from 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. each Tuesday and the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. — 1 p.m. at the library, 603 S. Jefferson St., Athens. More information (256) 232-1233.

Virtual exercise class

Limestone County Council on Aging presents virtual exercise class 2–3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays via Zoom. The classes are called S.A.I.L., which stands for Stay Active and Independent for Life. More information: (256) 233-6412.

Cemetery cleanup

City cemeteries

The City of Athens reminds residents and families of the following regarding its cemeteries: No flowers or decorations allowed on the ground between April 1 and Oct. 31, unless following a funeral; flower placement acceptable year-round on monuments, at their base or at foot markers; fresh flowers will be removed one week after a funeral; silk flowers will be removed 21 days after a funeral; approval by cemetery superintendent required before planting flowers, shrubs, trees or sod; city personnel will remove all trees or shrubs deemed detrimental to adjacent lots or grave openings; and worn, tattered or damaged U.S. flags will be removed and disposed of properly.

Blood donations

LifeSouth

You can schedule a time with the Athens Donor Center online anytime.

For more information, or to find and participate in blood drives, visit https://donors.lifesouth.org/donor/schedules/zip.

Red Cross

American Red Cross is asking eligible donors to make an appointment for blood or platelet donation.

Winter weather can change in an instant – so can the nation’s blood supply. As we celebrate National Blood Donor Month throughout January, the American Red Cross asks donors to resolve to give blood or platelets to keep blood products stocked all season long.

In partnership with the National Football League (NFL), those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma through Jan. 31, 2023, will be automatically entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona. (Terms apply. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.)