This Week - Sun Jan 11 to Sat Jan 17

Plan your week with these highlights. Bring a friend, say hello to neighbors, and support local groups.

• Sun Jan 11 - Winter Trail Walk - 2:00 PM - Riverbend Park trailhead - A gentle group stroll to shake off cabin fever. Dress warm and wear sturdy shoes.
• Mon Jan 12 - City Council Workshop - 6:30 PM - Calhoun City Hall - Informal workshop focused on street maintenance priorities and spring project planning. Public comment period at the end.
• Tue Jan 13 - Soup and Storytime - 11:30 AM - McLean County Public Library Calhoun branch - Cozy read aloud for kids followed by a simple soup lunch for families.
• Tue Jan 13 - Adult Fitness Basics - 6:00 PM - Senior Center - Low impact indoor session for all levels. Bring a water bottle and a mat if you have one.
• Wed Jan 14 - Midweek Music Jam - 6:00 PM - Methodist Church fellowship hall - Acoustic open jam. Listeners welcome. Coffee and hot cocoa available by donation.
• Thu Jan 15 - Winter Farmers Pop Up - 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Courthouse lawn pavilion - Eggs, winter greens, baked goods, and handmade soaps from local producers. Dress for the chill.
• Fri Jan 16 - Teen Board Game Night - 5:30 PM - Library community room - Strategy, party, and co op games. Snacks provided while they last.
• Sat Jan 17 - Volunteer Fire Department Pancake Breakfast - 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM - Station 1 - Fundraiser breakfast with pancakes and sausage. Proceeds support equipment upkeep.
• Sat Jan 17 - Ohio River Lookout Cleanup - 1:00 PM - Meet at Riverbend Park gazebo - Gloves and bags provided. Great for service hours.

Looking Ahead - Through Jan 31

Mark your calendar for late month happenings as winter carries on.

Jan 20 - Civic Club Potluck and Speaker - 6:00 PM - Community room at City Hall - Bring a dish to share. Topic focuses on small town grant opportunities.

Jan 22 - Youth Basketball Skills Clinic - 5:00 PM - School gym - Volunteer coaches run drills for ages 8 to 12. No fee. Loaner balls on site.

Jan 24 - Quilters Circle Winter Swap - 10:00 AM - Senior Center - Fabric exchange and beginner friendly demo. Bring a quarter yard to trade if you can.

Jan 27 - Business After Hours Meet and Greet - 5:30 PM - Downtown storefront pop in - Local owners chat about winter hours and spring plans. Light refreshments.

Jan 30 - Movie Night - 6:30 PM - Library - Family friendly classic. Blankets and camp chairs welcome.

Community Notices

Leaf and limb drop off is open at the public works lot on Saturdays in January during morning hours. Bag leaves in paper only and separate small branches.

Cold weather reminder - check on neighbors, keep pets warm, and drip a faucet during hard freezes. If you see icy spots on sidewalks near public buildings, report them to City Hall for sand and salt deployment.

Street light outage list is being updated. If a lamp near your block is flickering or dark, note the nearest intersection and share it during the Monday workshop comment period.

Sports and Recreation

Pickleball open play rotates Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the school gym when not in use by teams. Bring a paddle if you have one. A few loaners are available.

Runners and walkers meet Saturday at 8:00 AM near the courthouse steps for a three mile social loop. Pace friendly group with coffee stop after.

Get Involved

The park volunteers are organizing a native plant bed planning session for early February and need input on species lists and layout. If you have gardening experience or just enthusiasm, introduce yourself at the cleanup on Saturday.

The library seeks winter reading mentors for elementary readers. One hour per week commitment. Background check required and handled by staff.

Food pantry shelves are low after the holidays. Items most needed this month include peanut butter, canned tuna, dry beans, and rice. Drop offs accepted during weekday mornings.