This week

Read to a Therapy Dog

The Athnes-Limestone County Public Library will host a special evening of reading to therapy dogs on Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. Registration is required to attend the event, which is for kids ages 6-18. For more information, and how to register, please visit www.alcpl.org/kids or www.alcpl.org/teens.

Dr. King Day Prayer and Breakfast

The Curtis Coleman Center for Religion, Leadership and Culture at Athens State University will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Prayer and Breakfast on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 9:30 a.m. in the Founder’s Hall Chapel at Athens State University. The location of this year’s event is at 300 N. Beaty St. Athens, AL. The theme of the event is “Prayer Against Violence,” all members of the public are welcomed to attend and no registration will be required. For more information, please contact Eric Betts at (256)-233-6518.

Tribute to MLK

The Calhoun U.N.I.T.Y. Club will present a special tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Sparkman Building Grand Foyer at Calhoun Community College in Huntsville at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23. The featured speaker for the program, which will include performances from the Columbia High School Choir, is Dr. Elizabeth Bowden. For more information on this event, please visit www.calhoun.edu/mlk.

TVA Information Session

Calhoun Community College in Decatur will host a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Information Session on Thursday, Jan. 23, at the ATC Lecture Hall from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. The TVA is currently recruiting for nuclear student generating plant operators at the Brownsferry site. Entry level requirements include; one must be associates of applied science in a technical field. Candidates with relevant formal training and experience may also be considered. For more information, please contact Calhoun’s Career Services Team with questions at (256)-306-2993.

EMS Information Session

Calhoun Community College in Decatur will host an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Information Session on Monday, Jan. 27, at the Health Sciences Building, room 106. They will hold another EMS info session on Wednesday, Feb. 19, as well. To learn more about Calhoun’s EMS, please visit calhoun.edu/ems.

FBI Information Session

Calhoun Community College will host a Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Information Session at the MSCIS, Multifunction Room on Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m.

Upcoming

Community Support Breakfast

The Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce will host a special #AthensStrong Community Support Breakfast honoring the brave individuals who helped with the Dec. 28 tornado relief efforts. The event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Athens State Gymnasium at 8 a.m. Proceeds will be aimed at providing direct assistance to individuals and businesses who suffered damage. Registration is required, ticket price to attend is $40. For more information, please visit business.alcchamber.org/events/details/community-support-breakfast-athensstrong-2934.

Valentine’s Evening Dinner

Athens Alehouse and Cellar will host a Valentine’s Evening Dinner, by special reservation only, for local couples to enjoy on Friday, Feb. 14. Seating for the event will begin at 5:15 p.m. at their location on the square at 113 S. Marion St.

Single Cocktail Mingle

Athens Alehouse and Cellar will host a Single Cocktail and Mingle evening for singles on Saturday, Feb. 15, at their location at 113 S. Marion St. Live jams from DJ Kay-P will begin at 7 p.m. and last until 9:30 p.m.

Wellness Fair

The Stretch Zone in Athens will host a Wellness Fair on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Athens Recreation Center, located at 21821 Sportsplex Loop, Athens, AL 35611. The event, which will feature several local fitness and body health companies, will begin at 9 a.m. and last until 1 p.m.

Ongoing Weekly

Heart for Homeless

Please join The News Courier, and several others, as we try and help out our homeless population in Athens and Limestone County. Please give whatever essentials you can. All donations can be left at The News Courier’s office at 410 W. Green St. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Other donation sites include; Don Carter Heating and Cooling on 72 East, Toodlebugs on E. Hobbs St. and One Main Financial on 72 East.

Crochet Club at the Library

The Athens-Limestone County Public Library will host the Crochet Club every Saturday in December at 9:30 a.m. The event is for crocheters at any skill level.

Support Group

Support groups for domestic abuse victims and survivors will be held at the Family Resource Center on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. and on Fridays at noon. Facilitated by Crisis Services of North Alabama. For more information, please call (256)-230-1240.

Houston Memorial Library

The best kept secret in Athens — The Houston Memorial Library and Museum is open Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Home to a large collection of mystery, fiction, childrens, young adult and western books to be checked out with a $5.00 per year membership. The historic residence, which was built in 1834, also has a book sale room that is open each day. The museum has period furniture, civil war memorabilia and Native American artifacts.

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 (Mondays)

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

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.