Today

Free Children’s Book Event with Local Author, Melissa Hugley

Local Author, Melissa Hughley, will read her book, A Brown Man Raised Me to Children. Vickie Camp will instruct an art class after the reading. Registration will begin on Jan. 4th. Limited slots available for ages 5 and up.

To register your child please email highcottonarts1@gmail.com and include Child’s name and age, parents name, phone number and email.

The event will take place on Jan. 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at High Cotton Arts.

Tomorrow

Limestone County Historical Society quarterly meeting

The Limestone County Historical Society will hold their quarterly meeting on Sunday afternoon Jan. 15 at First Presbyterian Church Rodgers Center. Refreshments will be served at 2:30 p.m. and the program starts at 3 p.m. featuring guest speaker Wayne Kuykendal, Chairman of the Limestone County Historic Commission, with the topic “Our Southern Heritage.” The public is invited.

Monday

King Unity March

Join us on Monday, Jan. 16 for the King Unity March, 9 a.m.

Line-Up begins at 8:45 West Side of Limestone City Courthouse – 200 West Washington Street, Athens. We will have a Wreath laying at 9:00 AM. Then we will March to the Museum.

Essay presentation

On Monday, Jan. 16, the MLK essay program will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Veteran’s Museum, 114 Pryor St W, Athens, AL. Program will include Reading of Essays, Presentation of students’ Art, Music, and Presentation of Awards. Refreshments Will Be Served. Masks and social distancing are encouraged.

Upcoming

Social Media Apps & Sites Children Are Using Right Now

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 January 18.

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

CPR/First Aid

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 a.m. until 12 p.m. on January 25.

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

Coffee with the Sheriff

Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office would like to invite the community to share coffee, discuss public safety issues, and build relationships at the Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena on Jan. 26 from 7-9 a.m.

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.

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 February 8.

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

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 February 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 4:00 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.