SATURDAY

Beans and rice giveaway

Tanner United Methodist Church will host a beans and rice giveaway from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at 19607 Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road, Tanner. A 1-pound bag of beans and rice will be given to every adult, no questions asked.

Kids book club

Limestone County NAACP is hosting a free motivational book club for children ages 3-13. The club, called Students Taking Excellence Personally = Success (STEPS), will meet 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 8, at Round Island Creek Mission Center, 13829 Lucas Ferry Road, Athens. The club is designed to motivate students who may not enjoy reading and give those who do a chance to showcase their enjoyment. Free transportation and lunch provided. More information: Diane Steele, STEPS book club director, 256-216-5668 (office), 256-797-1333 (cell) or dsteele50@gmail.com

MONDAY

Balloon-o-grams

The deadline to order a balloon-o-gram for a loved one for Valentine’s Day is 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10. Cost is $10 and includes one helium balloon, a personalized note and a bag of candy. Delivery available to those in the East Limestone or Harvest area for $5 extra. This fundraiser is part of Adoption Heritage Tour Fundraiser. More information: 256-777-9671

TUESDAY

Managing heart disease class

Public health practitioner Brenda Fraioli will be at Athens-Limestone Public Library from 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Feb. 11, to help people learn how to manage heart disease. This is a free class with no registration required. Guests are invited to bring a lunch to eat during the talk. Drinks and light snacks provided.

Gettin’ dirty at the library

The Limestone County Master Gardeners Association will present a series of free monthly talks on a number of gardening topics at the Athens-Limestone Public Library. February’s presentation is 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Feb. 11. Topic: “Are You ‘FIT’ for Gardening?” by Carol Wood. No registration required. May bring lunch to eat during talk.

WEDNESDAY

Childrearing class

Limestone County Kids and Kin will host “All About Asthma,” a childrearing class geared toward individuals raising a relative’s child, from 10 a.m.–noon Wednesday, Feb. 12, at The Haven, 810 N. Malone St., Athens. More information: Tammie Hill, 256-724-2554

UPCOMING

Committee applications

Applications for the Limestone County Democrats Executive Committee are being accepted now until Feb. 14 for Commission Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4. Those interested should email vicechair@limestonedemocrats.org or call 256-444-4744

Empty Bowls Luncheon

The fourth annual Empty Bowls Luncheon will be 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at the Revival Center on West Washington Street, Athens. Tickets are $15 each and grant the holder bread, water, two bowls of soup and their choice of a handmade pottery item. Silent auction will also be held. Proceeds benefit Limestone County Churches Involved’s food bank and the Full Tummy Project. Purchase tickets in advance by contacting First Presbyterian Church or First United Methodist Church in Athens.

Madison ReadyFest

The Madison ReadyFest will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Discovery Middle School, 1304 Hughes Road, Madison. The free event will feature more than 20 informational booths and exhibits covering topics such as 72-hour kits, ham radio, healthy living, storm shelters, active shooter survival tips, bicycle maintenance, basic car maintenance and first aid fundamentals. More information: MadisonReadyFest.com

Childrearing class

Limestone County Kids and Kin will host “Developmental Milestones,” a childrearing class geared toward individuals raising a relative’s child, from 10 a.m.–noon Wednesday, Feb. 26, at The Haven, 810 N. Malone St., Athens. More information: Tammie Hill, 256-724-2554

Chili fundraiser

Boy Scouts Troop 7221 will have a chili fundraiser to pay for summer camp Saturday, Feb. 29. One ticket will get one quart of chili. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased in advance from a Scout member or by calling 256-762-3220. Chili can be picked up at noon.

Singing contest

Rock The Mic Singing Contest, part of the Adoption Heritage Tour Fundraiser, will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at Camp Helen, 14477 Baptist Camp Road, Harvest. Those who wish to participate must submit a nonrefundable entry fee of $25 per contestant with completed entry form and CD or MP3 of song choice no later than Saturday, Feb. 22. Full band accompaniment not permitted. Youth and adult categories available. Admission to show $5 at the door or free for children under 3. More information: dreampbj@gmail.com

Spellers needed for bee

Three-person teams are needed for the 25th annual Athens and Limestone County Learn-to-Read Corporate Spelling Bee, hosted by the Learn-to-Read Council of Athens and Limestone County. The event is 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at Athens Middle School cafeteria, 100 U.S. 31. Trophies awarded for first and second places. No admission charge. Refreshments will be served. A donation of $300 per team is requested. Individuals may collectively sponsor a team, (six people at $50 each; three people at $100 each), but only three spellers and one alternate are allowed in contest. To donate to help sponsor the event, call 256-230-3050. More information: Rhonda, 256-230-3050

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Trinity School

The Trinity School Class of 1966 will host its 34th annual Black History Month program 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Village View United Methodist Church, at the corner of Plato Jones and Hines streets. This year’s theme is “African Americans and the Vote.” Guest speaker is the Rev. Galon Darby, with musical performances by the New Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church Male Chorus. The program is dedicated to deceased classmates. More information: 256-233-2264

ONGOING

Free tax help in Ardmore

Volunteers with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program will be at Ardmore Public Library to help senior citizens and low-income individuals file their income taxes. Those needing assistance must schedule an appointment. Appointments are available 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Wednesdays from Feb. 5 through April 8. Please bring valid ID, last year’s tax papers and proof of insurance to the appointment. Other documents may be required. More information: 931-427-4883

Free tax help in Athens

Volunteers with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program will be at 303 N. Jefferson St. in Athens to help senior citizens and low-income individuals file their income taxes. This service is available 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from Feb. 3-29 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays from March 1-April 15. More information: 256-232-7207

Free tax help in Decatur

Volunteers with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program will be in Decatur to help senior citizens and low-income individuals file their taxes. This service is available 1-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturdays from Feb. 3-29; and 1-5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays from March 1-April 15. More information: 256-232-7207

Corruption hotline

The Alabama Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are asking residents with knowledge of public corruption in Limestone County to email details to reportcorruption@ago.state.al.us or call the tip line at 844-404-TIPS

Free breakfast

Veterans and their family members can receive free breakfast 7:30-9:30 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at AMVETS Post 21, 22769 Black Road, Athens. More information: 256-444-2793

SNAP applications

RSVP is still taking applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for seniors, age 60 and older. Call RSVP at 256-232-7207 or come by the office at 409 W. Washington St., Athens, to apply.

MEETINGS

• Quilters Guild. The Friendship Quilters Guild will have its business meeting Monday, Feb. 10 at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives, in Athens. Social time will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the business meeting starting at 10. Challenge quilts will be revealed. Visitors are welcome. More information: 256-233-3113

• DAV. The Disabled American Veterans will have its monthly meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Alabama Veterans Museum in Athens. More information: Alan Bridgewater, 703-986-9858.

Limestone Ledger is a community calendar in which nonprofit organizations can notify the public of events. Publication of donation requests should not be considered an endorsement by this newspaper. The News Courier encourages residents to research organizations before donating. All items will run as space allows until the day of the event and should be submitted at least one week prior to the event for best results. Ongoing items run for up to one month but can be resubmitted regularly. Email submissions to newscouriersoundoff@gmail.com, fax to 256-233-7753 or bring to The News Courier, 410 W. Green St., Athens.