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.

• The Lauderdale Christian Women’s Job Corps is taking applications for free computer and job skills training that will begin on Feb. 1, 2018. The training is for ladies who are unemployed or underemployed. To enroll, call 601-483-1419 or go by the Lauderdale County Baptist Center, 5521 Clinton Street in Marion. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. The deadline for applications is Friday, Jan. 26, 2018.

• The Multi-County Community Service Agency, Inc. provides transportation to Fresenius Dialysis on Highway 39 in Meridian and transportation to MIDD on College Dr. in Meridian, Monday-Saturday from 5:30 a.m.-5 p.m. FMI: Please contact Delphine Gaines, Transportation Coordinator, at 601-934-1911 Cell; 601-485-1214 Office; or 601-483-4838 Leave a message.

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

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

• Lunch Bunch AA meets at Firehouse, 3753 19th Street Monday-Saturday, 12:15-12:45 p.m.

• VFW Post 79 – Hours of operation are 1-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Saturday 1-11 p.m. Monthly Post members meetings are every 2nd Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. along with the VFW Auxiliary. Saturday’s 8-11 p.m. we host our weekly Dance. The present band is The Fugitives. We also want to announce that we do rent our facility for wedding’s, birthday parties, anniversaries, etc. Rental fees: $250 plus $45 clean up fee for main hall and $75 plus $45 clean up fee for Auxiliary room. We also have a large outdoor area with a covered grilling gazebo with wood burning grills. FMI: David Davis Commander at Post, 601-485-4042, and Steven Vinet Adjutant/Quartermaster at Post, 601-485-4042 or cell, 601-490-5997.

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

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

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

Daily:

Wednesday, Jan. 10

• 1 p.m. – The first meeting of Military Officers of America Association (MOAA) of 2018 will be held at Western Sizzlin.

• 4:30 p.m. – Teen Talk/Snow Day for Young Adults at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Thursday, Jan. 11

• 1 p.m. – Entrepreneur Learnard G. Dickerson will be the keynote speaker when Meridian Community College’s MLK Commemorative Celebration gets underway in the McCain Theater located in Ivy Hall on the MCC campus. The event is hosted by the College’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration Committee. The theme: “Get Involved and Make a Difference. The public is invited to attend.

• 4:30 p.m. – K-6th Grade Dr. Martin Luther King Day Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 6:30 p.m. – Madagascar A Musical Adventure, Jr. at the Meridian Little Theatre. Take a journey out of the zoo and onto the stage with your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends from the blockbuster DreamWorks film. Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto the stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime. FMI: 601-482-6371.

Friday, Jan. 12

• 6:30 p.m. – Madagascar A Musical Adventure, Jr. at the Meridian Little Theatre. Take a journey out of the zoo and onto the stage with your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends from the blockbuster DreamWorks film. Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto the stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime. FMI: 601-482-6371.

Saturday, Jan. 13

• 3 p.m. – The Jasper County Branch of the NAACP will have its Jan. meeting at the Living Church of God, Church at 4910 CR 8, Vossburg. Robert Keeler Sr., Pastor.

• 7:30 p.m. – The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra will perform its ever-popular Mozart by Candlelight at Belhaven University Center for the Arts., 835 Riverside Dr. The box office will open at Belhaven Center at 6:30 p.m. on the evening of the concert. For more information on this concert and others in the MSO 2017-18 Season of Celebrations, or to purchase tickets, visit our website or see us on Facebook.com/JacksonMSOrcherstra. Tickets are $19 for adults and $5 for students.

Monday, Jan. 15

• 8 a.m. – There will be a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Breakfast at the Heidelberg Multi-Purpose Building with speaker Rev. Eugene Bryan, Jr. Monticello. FMI: 601-739-3258 or 601-727-7442.

Tuesday, Jan. 16

• 10 a.m. – The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church. Information, refreshments, a fellowship will be available for caregivers. FMI: C.W. Rankin at 601-604-1919.

• 10 a.m. – Baby/Toddler Hot Cocoa Craft at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 2-3 p.m. – The United Auto Workers Retiree Chapter #2185 will meet with the Trust at the Meridian Activity Center, 3300 32nd Ave. Contact George at 601-737-5266.

• 4-6 p.m. – Fresenius Kidney Care hosts Open House at Fresenius Kidney Care Lauderdale County, 1300 38th Ave. E, Meridian. Light refreshments available. FMI: contact Clinic Manager Lillie Knox, RN at lillie.knox@fmc-na.com.

• 4:30 p.m. – Chess Club meets at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Wednesday, Jan. 17

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Mississippi Blood Services will hold a blood drive at Meridian Community College. The MBS Donor Coach will be at the school. Donors will receive T-shirts while supplies last.

• 4:30 p.m. – Young Adult STEM (Making Snow) at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Thursday, Jan. 18

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Mississippi Blood Services will hold a blood drive at Meridian Community College. The MBS Donor Coach will be at the school. Donors will receive T-shirts while supplies last.

• 11:30 a.m. – The Lauderdale County Republican Women will hold their monthly meeting on the second floor of Weidmann’s Restaurant. Election of officers for the upcoming year will be on the agenda. Everyone is welcome to attend.

• 2-3 p.m. Genealogy at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 2-6 p.m. – First Blood Responder Blood Drive at Walmart Hwy. 19 North in Meridian. All Jan. donors receive a “Power to Change the World” T-shirt while supplies last. Donors can schedule an appointment to donate at www.bloodhero.com or call 877-827-4376. Walk-ins are welcome.

• 4:30 p.m. – K-6th Grade Penguin Footprints.

• 6 p.m. – The International Singing Brakeman Association (TISBA) Hospitality Night will be at The Red Roof Inn, Suite B, located at 2219 South Frontage Rd. Please bring a dish to share. We will eat at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. FMI: Glyn Jones, 601-581-1601.

Friday, Jan. 19

• 1:30-5:30 p.m. – Mississippi Blood Services will hold a community blood drive at Bonita Lakes Mall. Donors will receive T-shirts while supplies last.

Monday, Jan. 22

• 11 a.m. – Adult Craft (DIY Stress Balls) at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Tuesday, Jan. 23

• 10 a.m. – Baby/Toddler National Penguin Day at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 6 p.m. – Lauderdale Christian Women’s Job Corp – Volunteer Training at Lauderdale Baptist Association Office, 5521 Clinton St., Marion. FMI: 601-483-1419 or email Linda Spence lauderdalecwjc@yahoo.com.

Wednesday, Jan. 24

• 4:30 p.m. – Games for Young Adults at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Thursday, Jan. 25

• 4:30 p.m. – K-6th Grade Decorate Canvas Tote Bag at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Friday, Jan. 26

• 1-2:30 p.m. – Alzheimer’s Awareness Workshop at the MSU Riley Center. Information on: Clinical Trials, Advocacy, Physician Q&A. Neurologist Dr. Zaineb Daub. Email meridianmedicalmarketing@gmail.com. to reserve your spot.

Saturday, Jan. 27

• 3:30 – Friends will gather at Sandy Ridge Bluegrass Park for a day of fellowship, food, pickin’, and grinnin’ (weather permitting). Bring a covered dish for supper at 6 p.m. then hang around for some bluegrass music with possible banjo, mandolin, guitar, and fiddle players. FMI: 601-644-3701.

Monday, Jan. 29

• 11 a.m. – Games for Adults at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Tuesday, Jan. 30

• 10 a.m. – Baby/Toddler STEM at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

• 4:30 p.m. – Chess Club meets at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Wednesday, Jan. 31

• 4:30 p.m. – Young Adult STEM (Tornado in a jar) at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library.

Friday, Feb. 9

• 7:30 p.m. – Jane Austen’s Classic ‘Sense and Sensibility’ comes to MSU Riley Center. Tickets are $39 and $33 at the MSU Riley Center Box Office, which is open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets can be purchased online at www.msurileycenter.com or by calling the box office at 601-696-2200.

Saturday, Feb. 10

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – EMBDC Bridal Show at the MSU Riley Center featuring Monte Durham.