Please e-mail all calendar briefs to calendar@themeridianstar.com. Calendar items are listed by date and it may take a while before an event submitted weeks in advance appears in the paper.

 F.Y.I.

• 10-11 a.m., Thursdays, Gentle Yoga class at Meridian Activity Center. Free and open to the public. FMI: Pat 601-474-5756.

• 4:30-5:30 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, Make-A-Wish workout classes at Meridian Activity Center, 3300 32nd Ave. FMI: Brenda 601-483-8144.

• 5:30-8 p.m., Mondays, Civil Air Patrol MS 102 Composite Squadron at Key Field ANG Base. FMI: georgetpurvis@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/montgomerycompositesquadron.

• 11 a.m., 2nd Saturday of the month, VFW Post 12124 and Auxiliary meet at Copeland’s, VFW upstairs, Auxiliary downstairs. FMI: 601-282-5866.

• 5:30 p.m., 2nd Thursday of the month, American Legion Post 257 meets at Temple Theater Ballroom. Fellowship followed by meeting of both the Legion and Auxiliary. FMI: David Sloan 601-481-3949.

• 9 a.m., 3rd Saturday of the month, VFW Post 79 at 5620 Old Highway 80 West. Open Wednesdays from 1-5 p.m. for Happy Hour. FMI: Jack Bonner 601-701-6706 or David Davis 601-604-0027.

• 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 8-11 a.m. on Friday, Lauderdale County Veteran Service Office at 1827 23rd Ave. Call for appt. Walk-ins welcome. FMI: Jesse Barnett 601-482-9811.

• 6:30 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of the month, Disabled American Veterans Ch. 56 meets at 4101 19th St. Food pantry available 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. FMI: Commander Dan Ward 601-485-1813.

• 6 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of the month, CAREousel Cancer Support Group meets at The Cancer Center, 1704 23rd Ave. FMI: Caryol Griffin 601-679-9713.

• 7 p.m., Mondays, GA meetings at Highland Baptist Church parsonage, 3400 27th St. FMI: David 601-938-9193.

• 12-1 p.m., Tuesdays, Refuge Christian Recovery, a meeting for women whose loved ones suffer from alcohol and drugs, meets at First Presbyterian Church, Founders Room, 905 23rd Ave. FMI: Charlie 601-483-5927.

• 12-1 p.m., Mondays, Al-Anon meetings at First Christian Church, 1301 23rd Ave.

• 5:30-6:30 p.m., Tuesday/Thursday, Al-Anon meetings at Firehouse, 3753 19th St.

• 12:15-12:45 p.m., Monday-Saturday, 9-10 a.m. on Sunday, Lunch Bunch AA meets at Firehouse, 3753 19th St.

• 5:30-6:30, daily, Happy Hour AA meets at Firehouse, 3753 19th St.

• 6:30-7:30 p.m., Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Friday/Sunday, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Friday/Saturday, Big Book AA meets at Alliance, 5000 Highway 39 North.

• 7-8 p.m., Tuesday/Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, Quitman Serenity AA meets at 205 Kirkland Drive, Quitman.

• 6:30-8 p.m., Monday, GriefShare support group meets at NorthPark Church, 7770 Highway 39 North. FMI: 601-482-1322 or www.facebook.com/northparkchurch.net.

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Meridian Affiliate support groups: 5:15-6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Connection Support Group (at lest 18-years-old with mental illness diagnosis) meets at Wesley House Community Center, 1520 8th Avenue; 5:15-6:30 p.m., 2nd Tuesday of the month, Family Support Group (at least 18-years-old in support of person with mental illness diagnosis) meets at same location. FMI: Patricia Battle 601-527-3734 or Jill Walsh 601-917-1474.

• Eden Foundation, an outreach to the community. Crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day 601-453-4946.

• Longino Center Dance, Pecan Ave. behind Longino Fire Department in Philadelphia, open every Friday/Saturday night from 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Admission $8. Live music, free cokes/water, family atmosphere. FMI: Sam 601-728-0313.

• The Ebenezer Christian Seminary Music Department will be offering piano and keyboard lessons beginning January 2017 with Maureen Sellers as Dean. Call 601-737-4506 to schedule lesson.

• Hamasa Shriners are selling Smoked Boston Butts for $30. Order by Tuesday, March 17, for pick up on Friday, April 14, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 5516 Dale Drive in Marion. Call 601-693-1361.

  

Wednesday, March 1

8:10 a.m. – Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Patrick.

9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Spring Blood Drive at Jones County Junior College in the P.E. Building. FMI: 601-477-4066.

Noon – Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Joseph.

6 p.m. – ECCC will host “An Evening with C.S. Lewis” portrayed by British actor, David Payne, in Huff Auditorium on the Decatur campus. Admission is free.

6:30 p.m. – Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Patrick.

6:30 p.m. – RA Raingutter Regatta at First Baptist Church Gym.

7 p.m. – Ash Wednesday Spanish Mass at St. Joseph.

Thursday, March 2

7 a.m. – Men’s Prayer Breakfast at Highland Baptist Church.

8 a.m.-1 p.m. – AARP volunteers will assist with 2016 tax returns at EMEPA, 2128 Highway 39. Bring 2015 return, 2016 information, picture ID and SS cards. First come, first serve. FMI: 601-692-2758.

10-11 a.m. – Free Community workshop on Elder Abuse as it relates to Finances at New Beginnings Adult Day Care Services, 235 69th Ave., conducted by Rebecca Brown of Citizens National Bank. FMI: Ruth Sanders 228-219-2504.

12 p.m. – Community Lenten Service at First Baptist Church.

12-6 p.m. – Community Blood Drive at Lowe’s, 10015th Place, to support Blair Batson Children’s Hospital.

5 p.m. – Meridian Chapter of Miss. Valley State University Alumni will meet at the Council of Organizations Building, 814 45th Ave. to prepare for April 7, 2017 banquet. FMI: 601-482-4559.

6 p.m. – MPSD combined choir concert at Meridian High School Auditorium.

6 p.m. – The Jerry Wentworth Detachment #1101 of the Marine Corps League will meet at VFW Post #79, 5614 Old Highway 80 West. Ladies Auxiliary will meet same time/place.

Friday, March 3

1:30 p.m. – East Central Mississippi Retired Educators will meet at Meridian Activity Center for refreshments. Meeting to follow from 2-3 p.m.

7 p.m. – MSU Riley Center presents “Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat.” Tickets: 601-696-2200.

Saturday, March 4

7 p.m. – Yolanda Adams in concert at the Temple Theatre. FMI: 601-934-0370.

7:30 p.m. – Southern Soul Assembly in concert at MSU Riley Center. Tickets: 601-696-2200.

Sunday, March 5

2:30 p.m. – New Salem MB Church, 5065 Whynot Alamucha Road, will celebrate Choir Day. FMI: 601-644-0308.

3 p.m. – Meridian Gospel Travelers will celebrate 33 years at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 4126 York Road in Lauderdale. FMI: 601-482-5138 or 601-917-0698.

Monday, March 6

1 p.m. – Home Instead Senior Care Ribbon Cutting at 4808 Great River Drive Suite C.

1 p.m. – ECCC will host Open House for students interested in MI-BEST program in Tucker Applied Technology Center on the Decatur campus. FMI: Erin Tramill 601-635-6255.

Tuesday, March 7

7 a.m.-7 p.m. – National Pancake Day for Batson Children’s Hospital at IHOP. Free short stack of pancakes for donation. FMI: 601-531-3182.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. – AARP volunteers will assist with 2016 tax returns at United Way, 4817 N Park Drive. Bring 2015 return, 2016 information, picture ID and SS cards. Reservations needed, call 601-482-0512.

12-1:30 p.m. – ABC’s of Contracting for small businesses at Union Station, second floor, 1901 Front St. Lunch not provided. Register at www.mscpc.com. FMI: Natalie Purvis 601-693-1306.

Wednesday, March 8

1 p.m. – Military Officers of America Association, Meridian Chapter, will meet at Western Sizzlin.

Thursday, March 9

8 a.m.-1 p.m. – AARP volunteers will assist with 2016 tax returns at EMEPA, 2128 Highway 39. Bring 2015 return, 2016 information, picture ID and SS cards. First come, first serve. FMI: 601-692-2758.

Saturday, March 11

3 p.m. – NAACP meeting at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 46 Edmond King Road in Bay Springs. FMI: 601-739-3258.

Tuesday, March 14

9 a.m.-1 p.m. – AARP volunteers will assist with 2016 tax returns at United Way, 4817 N Park Drive. Bring 2015 return, 2016 information, picture ID and SS cards. Reservations needed, call 601-482-0512.

Thursday, March 16

8 a.m.-1 p.m. – AARP volunteers will assist with 2016 tax returns at EMEPA, 2128 Highway 39. Bring 2015 return, 2016 information, picture ID and SS cards. First come, first serve. FMI: 601-692-2758.

7 p.m. – Broadmoor Baptist Church, 5426 Highway 39 North, will host The Lefevre Quartet. Admission is free, love offering taken. FMI: 601-323-4400.

Saturday, March 18

7:30 p.m. – DRUMLine Live will be in concert at MSU Riley Center. Tickets: 601-696-2200.

Tuesday, March 21

9 a.m.-1 p.m. – AARP volunteers will assist with 2016 tax returns at United Way, 4817 N Park Drive. Bring 2015 return, 2016 information, picture ID and SS cards. Reservations needed, call 601-482-0512.

Thursday, March 23

8 a.m.-1 p.m. – AARP volunteers will assist with 2016 tax returns at EMEPA, 2128 Highway 39. Bring 2015 return, 2016 information, picture ID and SS cards. First come, first serve. FMI: 601-692-2758.

Tuesday, March 28

9 a.m.-1 p.m. – AARP volunteers will assist with 2016 tax returns at United Way, 4817 N Park Drive. Bring 2015 return, 2016 information, picture ID and SS cards. Reservations needed, call 601-482-0512.