This weekend

Home and Garden Show

The festivities kick off on Friday, March 15, from 5-8 p.m. On Saturday, doors open at 8 a.m. and close at 4 p.m., and Sunday is scheduled from 12-4 p.m. Admission is $5 cash only. Kids 12 and younger admission is free. For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Friday

St. Patrick’s celebration

Athens Alehouse and Cellar (111 W Washington St, Athens, AL 35611) will host its 3rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Bash on Friday, March 15, beginning at 4 p.m. with live music and fun for the whole family.

Saturday

Athens-Limestone Hospital Difference Dash

The Difference Dash 5k is organized by the ALH Ambassadors, a group of high school Juniors and Seniors from Athens City, Limestone County, and area private schools, who are participating in a workforce development program at Athens-Limestone Hospital. The ALH Ambassadors are hosting the inaugural Difference Dash 5k in order to fund the ALH Ambassador Scholarship program through Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation. Proceeds from the Difference Dash 5k will provide scholarships to multiple Senior Ambassadors who plan to pursue a career in healthcare. Visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=157423&eventId=796768 to register.

Butterfly gardening workshop

The Limestone County will host a butterfly gardening workshop at the Limestone County Extension office (1109 W. Market St., Ste. C) March 16 from 10-11 a.m. It is free and open to the public.

Boutique crawl

Athens Main Street is hosting the second annual Boutique Crawl on March 16 in downtown Athens. For each purchase over $20 made the day of the Boutique Crawl, patrons can enter a chance to win a $500 Shopping Spree.

Downtown Athens Pub Crawl

The Inaugural Pub Crawl in downtown Athens will be held on Saturday, March 16, beginning at 4 p.m. Participating restaurants include Ro’s Grille, Village Pizza, The Salty Cod, Athens Alehouse and Cellar, Old Black Bear Brewing Co. and Limestone Legends Billiards. This is a free event to join and attendees are encouraged to park and walk and can join in anytime.

Upcoming

NARFE meeting

NARFE Chapter 1480 will meet on Saturday, March 23rd at 9:00 a.m. at the Veterans Museum on Pryor Street. Guest Speaker will be Probate Judge Charles Woodroof. If you have any questions, please call Dean Morgan, (256)-233-0248.

Author visit

Alabama author Valerie Fraser Luesse will be at the Athens Limestone County Public Library at 2 p.m. on March 28.

”If you plant it — it will grow” workshop

The Limestone County will host a vegetable gardening workshop at the Limestone County Extension office (1109 W. Market St., Ste. C) April 13 from 10-11 a.m. It is free and open to the public, but please register at (256) 714-0611 or mastergardeners-limestonecountyalabama.org.

Art on the Lake vendors

Art on the Lake, an annual two-day arts and crafts festival in Guntersville, Ala., is now accepting applications from artists and vendors who wish to exhibit in the show. This 63rd annual event will be held April 20-21. For more information, please contact: Patty Richmond via email at guntersvilleartonthelake@gmail.com or visit our website www.artonthelake-guntersville.com.

North Alabama Canine Expo vendors

The North Alabama Canine Expo is a celebration of all things canine, bringing together dog lovers from our community. The expo will feature a diverse range of activities and attractions, including demonstrations, meet the breed sessions, canine education, adoption information, and various vendor booths offering dog products, services, and accessories. The expo organizers are still accepting vendor applications. For more information, reach out to northalabamacanineexpo@gmail.com.

Ongoing

RSVP tutors needed

RSVP needs volunteers, age 55 and older, who are willing to tutor students in reading and math. If interested, please call (256) 232-7207 or come by the RSVP Office at 409 West Washington Street, Suite A.

RSVP income tax service

RSVP will be offering free income tax service again this year. You must call RSVP at (256)-232-7207 to schedule an appointment for Athens Public Library and Decatur Public Library. Call 931-427-4883 for Ardmore appointment. The Athens-Limestone County Public Library will be available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. from Jan. 29-Feb. 29 and Mondays and Thursdays from Mar. 4-April 15. The Decatur Public Library will have services available Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 29-April 15. Ardmore Public Library will be available on Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or by appointment (call (931) 427-4883) from Jan. 31-April 10.

Weekly

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.

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.

TOPS meeting (Tuesdays)

Athens AL TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Evening Chapter #0616 meets weekly on Tuesdays, at the Athens Activity Center on Pyror Street. Weigh-In starts at 6:00pm and the meeting at 6:30pm. For more info, email: AthensAL616TOPS@gmail.com.

Community Choir Rehearsals

The Athens State University Community Choir holds rehearsals on Tuesday nights from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Athens High School Choir Room. For more information, contact Teresa Edwards at tedwards32815@gmail.com or learn more at the choir’s Facebook page.

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TOPS meeting (Wednesdays)

{span class=”print_trim”}The Athens, AL TOPS Club Inc.® Chapter #615 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a nonprofit weight-loss support organization, meets weekly on Wednesday mornings at 8:30 a.m. at the Athens City Activity Center located at 912 West Pryor Street, Athens, AL 35611. Your first visit to any TOPS meeting is free. For more information about TOPS Club, Inc. and our chapter, contact our Leader, Kimberly Harbin, at kh2458@charter.net.

Domestic abuse victims/survivors support group

Crisis Services of North Alabama will have support groups for domestic abuse victims/survivors every Thursday afternoon from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and every Friday from 12-1 p.m. at The Family Resource Center (406 S. Jefferson St.) For more information, call (256) 230-1240 or (256) 262-7760.

Crochet Club

Athens-Limestone County Public Library hosts a crochet club every Saturday at 9:30 a.m. for every skill level. Bring your current projects to work on or help others learn.

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Digital Literacy Classes

{span class=”print_trim”}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.

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Houston Memorial Library Daily Book Sale

{span class=”print_trim”}The Houston Library has a large selection of paperback Westerns for sale. Fifty cents each. First come first serve. The Houston Library is located at 101 N. Houston St., Athens AL 35611 and open M-F and the first Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call (256) 233 — 8770 for more information. Houston Memorial Library and Museum hosts a book sale daily.

Monthly

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Houston Library Writers Group

{span class=”print_trim”}The Houston Library Writers Group will resume monthly meetings on Thursday, March 7th, at 6 p.m. at the Houston Library. Open to professional and aspiring writers alike. All writing styles welcome! Call (256) 233-8770 for more information.

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Beekeepers association meeting

{span class=”print_trim”}The Limestone County Beekeepers Association meets the second Monday of every even numbered month (Feb, April, June, Aug., Oct & Dec) at 6:30 p.m. at The Extension Office located at: 1109 W Market St. STE A Athens, AL. 35611.

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Disabled American Veteran meeting

{span class=”print_trim”}The James L. Daniels unit 51 of the Disabled American Veterans will host its monthly meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

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AMVETS Post 21 monthly breakfast

{span class=”print_trim”}AMVETS AL Post 21 (22769 Black Road, Athens, AL) hosts a veterans breakfast every second Saturday of the month at 7 a.m. The breakfast is open to the public for a $6 donation, and it is free to veterans, first responders and their families. The proceeds go to help meet the needs of the post’s veterans and their families.

Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary meeting

The James L. Daniels unit 51 of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary will host its monthly meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

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Delivered plate lunches

{span class=”print_trim”}The Lighthouse Pentecostal Church hosts a monthly plate lunch sale for its land/building fund. Each plate is $13 and must be ordered by the Wednesday before the second Friday of the month and can be purchased at lapc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/686458, marie9404@gmail.com or (256) 998-0195. Each month has a new menu that can be found on the church’s Facebook page the week before. Deliveries begin as early as 10:30 a.m. to the Athens, Elkmont, Ardmore and Tanner areas.

AMVETS Post 21 themed dinner

AMVETS AL Post 21 (22769 Black Road, Athens, AL) hosts a themed dinner, usually on the third Monday of each month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The dinner is open to the public and costs $15 per person.

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.

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.

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Book club

{span class=”print_trim”}We have a Book Club that meets the fourth Thursday of every month at Antiques on Jefferson.

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Community outreach day

{span class=”print_trim”}Freshwind Christian Fellowship is partnering with Women Empowering Women of Alabama to create a day of fun for the whole family every fourth Saturday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at 17200 Lucas Ferry Rd. in Athens through October. They will be serving food and giving away free clothing. For more information contact Janice Williams at (256) 233-5995.

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.